The Butterfly Run is debuting in Columbus on Aug. 11 after premiering in Phoenix, Ariz., during the fall of 2017.
COLUMBUS, OH – One in five children is faced with a mental disorder before the age of 12. To help increase national awareness, break stigmas and raise funds for much-needed children and adolescent behavioral health research, Big Lots Foundation presents “The Butterfly Run.”
The event is debuting in Columbus on Aug. 11 after premiering in Phoenix, Ariz., during the fall of 2017.
A family-fitness event focusing on reducing the stigma often associated with behavioral disorders and mental illnesses, The Butterfly Run also will feature Butterfly Village where families can participate in pre and post-race activities.
“Serving everyone like family is at the heart of our mission,” said Tim Johnson, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Big Lots. “Each mile means more hope for children and their families dealing with these challenges. Every step we take is a step toward better understanding behavioral health.”
Proceeds from The Butterfly Run will benefit behavioral health research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of America’s largest pediatric hospitals and research centers. As part of its research mission, Nationwide Children’s strives to gather new knowledge and share it globally to improve outcomes for children everywhere.
Seventy-five percent of lifetime mental illnesses are present by age 24. With the soaring demand for mental health treatment for young people comes a steep rise in the complexity and severity of their illnesses. Together, we can work toward a new future that overcomes the stigma often associated with mental health issues, while also linking arms to fund research into the causes and best treatment options.
In 2016, Big Lots and Big Lots Foundation announced a $50 million transformational gift to Nationwide Children’s to construct the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion. Scheduled to open in 2020, the Pavilion will be a freestanding facility fully dedicated to children and adolescents with behavioral health conditions. It will be the largest behavioral health treatment and research center dedicated to children and adolescents on a pediatric medical campus in the U.S.
“Dedicated and visionary partners like Big Lots are helping Nationwide Children’s Hospital create a new era of understanding and compassion for families going through behavioral health challenges,” said Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We consistently strive to provide the very best care and innovative research and we cannot achieve these bold and important promises without the community’s support and the generosity of Big Lots.”
Big Lots Corporate Headquarters (4900 East Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43081) is the site for the Aug. 11 Butterfly Run in Columbus, which will include a 5K and Kids Fun Run. Check in for both events is 7 a.m. with the 5K beginning at 8 a.m. and the Fun Run soon following. To register and for more information, log on to butterflyrun.org and select the Columbus location.
Two more Butterfly Runs around the country will follow the Columbus event – Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 20 and Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 3.