2nd Annual Luminaria Run to Benefit Domestic Violence Center Dec 8

Shelter House, the domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, is hosting a unique twilight run that will shine the light on domestic violence in our community. The 2nd Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic Violence will take place on Saturday, December 8, at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Starting and ending at Baytowne Marina, the course will be lined with more than 2,000 luminarias lighting the path for the runners.

The race includes 5k and 9k courses winding throughout Sandestin. “We chose the 9k distance to represent that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.,” explained Shelter House Executive Director Michelle Sperzel. “The luminarias symbolize how Shelter House and our community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of domestic violence.”

Luminary bags will be labeled and placed along the course in honor or in memory of loved ones. Bags are available through a $10 donation to Shelter House and can be purchased at the Shelter House office in Fort Walton Beach or on site the day of the race.

This is a twilight race starting at 5pm. Registration for the 5k is $25 for adults in advance or $35 on site and $10 for children in advance or $15 on site. The 9k race costs $40 in advance or $50 on race day for adults and $15 in advance and $20 on race day for children. Walkers are also welcome.

Children are encouraged to participate in the run. This family-friendly event will include a party at the finish line featuring mini cupcakes, s’mores and hot cocoa.

Parking for the event will be available at the Horseshoe Bayou parking lot located at the resort entrance. Tram service will run at regular intervals from noon until 9pm transporting guests to the Marina.

To register, please go to www.shelterhousenwfl.org or www.imathlete.com. For more information on the race, sponsorships or luminary bags, call Shelter House at 850-243-1201.

Sandestin is offering special rates for race participants wishing to stay at the resort. Call 800-622-1038 for reservations or reserve online at www.sandestin.com with the group code HOUSE2.

The inaugural Luminaria Run drew more than 260 runners last year and raised over $7,000 to help keep abused women and children safe.

Shelter House would like to thank the following sponsors for making the Luminaria Run possible: Championship Level Sponsors – 30A.com, Destin Shines, SoWal.com, Gold’s Gym and BE Events; Platinum Level Sponsors – Think It Wear It Express, ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida, Dixielectricar and Beach-N-Bakery; and Gold Level Sponsors – Waterstone Mortgage Corporation, Emerald Coastierge, Pleat & Perry, Run With It, Furry Fanatics, Northwest Florida Track Club, Chobani, Emerald Coast Chiropractic, Marriott, Glas Designs and Silver Sands Factory Stores.

About Shelter House
Shelter House, Inc. is a state certified domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton Counties and offering emergency confidential shelter, crisis counseling, a 24-hour hotline, children’s programs, information and referrals, education, professional training, safety planning and prevention services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.

If you feel that a family member or intimate partner is endangering your physical or emotional safety or if you know someone experiencing this in their home, call Shelter House’s hotline at 1-800-44-ABUSE or 850-863-4777.