RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Hundreds of runners, walkers and families gathered at Overpeck County Park on Sunday, Nov. 1, for Yad Leah’s annual Dash for Dignity, turning a morning of exercise and family fun into an effort to provide clothing to struggling families across Israel.
The event, Yad Leah’s largest annual community gathering, brought together local schools, synagogues and families for a 5K race, one-mile family walk and children's races, all supporting the organization's mission of providing clothing to Israelis in need.
Participants of all ages took part in the festivities, which included a kids zone, inflatables, face painting, live entertainment, raffles and prizes. A breakfast and refreshments were also part of the morning's activities.
Beyond the races, participants were encouraged to raise money through personal fundraising pages, with prizes awarded based on fundraising totals.
The annual event supports Yad Leah's ongoing work distributing clothing to families throughout Israel, helping parents and children access essential clothing while preserving their dignity.
The organization currently supports approximately 10,000 families through 27 branches across Israel, with the help of 5,100 volunteers. Yad Leah reports distributing 480,000 articles of clothing, reflecting the scale of its effort to assist families facing financial hardship.
The Dash also serves as a major opportunity for Bergen County's Jewish community to take part in that mission, bringing together supporters across generations and reinforcing the connection between local families and communities in Israel.
Medical coverage for the hundreds of runners and spectators was provided by Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, joined by BVAC, Norwood EMS and Fair Lawn Ambulance Corps.
The Dash for Dignity has become a fixture on the local Jewish community calendar, combining a family-friendly outing with fundraising and volunteer engagement for Israeli families in need.
More information about Yad Leah and its programs is available at yadleah.org.
