Last month, nearly 5,000 people gathered in New Providence for the second annual Share NJ 5K run by the New Jersey Sharing Network. Members of the group work both as a support system for one another, and an advocacy and awareness organization that promotes organ donation.

The walk raised $580,000, which will go toward research, education, awareness and donor family support.

Two teams from Mahwah were on hand at the walk. Together, ‘Team I Am Drozd!,’ and ‘Team Po-Po’s Peeps,’ have raised $11,000 so far.

‘Team I Am Drozd!,’ which walked in memory of late resident Mike Drozd, who was killed in a car accident in 2008, was made up of 38 residents, family members and friends. The team raised $5,000 for the Sharing Network.

‘Team Po-Po’s Peeps,’ made up of 48 people, walking in memory of resident Jackie Lue Raia’s mom, who was lovingly called “Po-Po” by her family and friends. 48 people raised $6,000.

“Everybody finds some way to be a part of the day,” Pam Drozd, the captain of her team, said. “We had some people who couldn’t complete the walk, so they were cheerleaders. Everybody had a blast.”

Lue Raia, who works for the Sharing Network, said the walk was “a very healing time for me. It’s a very emotional day.”

It is also one that spread its message. At the walk, 90 people signed up to be organ donors, which Lue Raia called “wonderful.”

Both Mahwah teams are still accepting donations online. Find out more information and donate to ‘Team I Am Drozd!,’ here, and ‘Team Po-Po’s Peeps” here.

Also, get more information about the Sharing Network’s next big fundraising event, a golf outing to the be held in October, in the flier attached to this article.

--

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your email inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.