'Step Out' Event Expects More Than 500 Participants Saturday

With about 500 registered participants, Saturday's Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event at the TD Bank Ballpark will be one of the largest fundraising events this year.

The annual event helps support the American Diabetes Association, and kicks off at 2 p.m. with an afternoon of fun events with the walk beginning at 4 p.m.

The walk also offers a haunted trail, trick-or-treating, pumpkin picking and painting, and performances by students from the School of Rock. A special vendor area will offer special discounts on items from ADA supporters.   

Local sponsors include Walgreens, Saint Peters University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Johnson and Johnson, Atlantic Health, Merck and Magic 98.3. Novo Nordisk is the National Premier and Red Strider sponsor.

Also helping the event succeed are the event's "Stop Diabetes Champions," participants who have helped raise $1,000 or more. This year's champions include Renee Ruggeri, Rev. John Graf Jr., Rich Reitman, Stephanie Fitzsimmons Sexton, Francesca Tubito, Zinda Moderno and Stephanie Youngman.

It's not too late to join in: log onto the American Diabetes Association Step Out webpage for more information and to register.