Community Corner

Dine Out, Donate to Long Valley Boy's 'Action for Distraction'

Second annual event scheduled for Saturday, May 10.

The second annual Action for Distraction 5K is just a few days away – Saturday, May 10, to be exact – and hundreds of locals will be there to raise funds for Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Medical Center.

But not everyone will be able to make it, unfortunately. That doesn’t mean they can’t contribute to the worthwhile cause.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, anyone dining at Friendly’s of Morris Plains, Friendly’s of Morristown, or Chili’s of Flanders will be able to give to the cause just by eating.

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Each of the three restaurants will be giving a percentage of sales to the Action for Distraction event when customers present a voucher. 

On Monday from 5 to 8 p.m., anyone who brings this voucher – click here – to Friendly’s in Morris Plains will have 20-percent of their bill donated to the cause.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Tuesday during all business hours, anyone who brings this voucher – click here – to Chili’s in Flanders will have 10-percent of their bill donated to the cause.

On Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., anyone who brings this voucher – click here – to Friendly’s in Morristown will have 20-percent of their bill donated to the cause.

But what is the cause?

Action for Distraction was designed by Zach Rice, of Long Valley, who went through and recovered from a very rare bone disorder in his hip. Rice, just 11-years-old, was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the hip in 2012. Essentially, the boy’s hip bone was eroding, and any motion or weight affecting the joint would speed up the process. The condition was so rare, just one doctor in the area could perform surgery on Rice.

But Rice’s journey through surgery, infection and recovery taught him plenty, not the least of which was finding a way to help other kids.

Rice needed to stay at Goryeb Children’s Hospital on multiple occasions, but found the amenities a bit boring at times. One day, his dad, Dan, brought in the family’s home gaming system to keep him occupied.

During his recovery, Rice knew he needed to help kids at Goryeb in his same position – immobile and bored. That’s when the Action for Distraction was created. 

The event, which raised $18,500 in its inaugural year, provided 34 PlayStation 3 consoles to Goryeb, making each child’s room equipped with the gaming system.

To participate in the Action for Distraction on Saturday, May 10, go here. 


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