COLUMBIA, Md.– The Ellicott City Jingle Bell Run is getting bigger and better thanks to Grotto Pizza.
This holiday-themed fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation takes place, Saturday, Dec. 1, beginning at Centennial Park (1000 State Route 108, Ellicott City, Md. 21042). Almost 1,000 people are expected to dress in festive costumes and “get moving to raising awareness and funds to cure America’s #1 cause of disability.”
Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., the 5K run starts at 9:00 and the awards presentation takes place at 10:15.All participants will receive Grotto Pizza coupons and the top fundraising teams will be rewarded with pizzas.
Festivities continue with the event’s first ever After Party, taking place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Grotto Pizza-Columbia (7075 Minstrel Way, Columbia, Md. 21046).Race participants, as well as anyone wanting to support a great cause, are invited to “enjoy the legendary taste of the beach, closer to home.”
Guests can choose from pizza, pasta, sandwiches, subs, appetizers, salads, beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and/or Grotto Gelato. The Arthritis Foundation will distribute Jingle Bell Run After Party vouchers in advance and at the event. For every voucher that is presented with payment, Grotto Pizza will donate 10 percent of proceeds to the Arthritis Foundation.
“Jingle Bell Run is a long-standing tradition in the Ellicott City community and we are so excited to expand it by joining with Grotto Pizza,” said Lauren Yankolonis, executive director of the Arthritis Foundation in Maryland and Delaware. “The After Party will be a wonderful addition, where we can recharge with great food and drinks in a comfortable, warm atmosphere.”
In addition to hosting the After Party, Grotto Pizza-Columbia is promoting the Jingle Bell Run in-store with tabletop displays and stickers on its pizza boxes.
“It’s important for us to give back to the community and we are proud to join the movement to conquer arthritis,”said Vinnie DiNatale, director of marketing for Grotto Pizza, Inc. “We look forward to helping the Arthritis Foundation toward its goal of raising $100,000 at this year’s Jingle Bell Run.”
Reservations to the After Party are encouraged by visiting https://tinyurl.com/y96qobb4. To register or learn more about the Jingle Bell Run, visit www.jbr.org/ellicottcity or call the Arthritis Foundation at 443-948-6657.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure. The Foundation also publishes Arthritis Today, the award-winning magazine that reaches 4 million readers per issue. For more information, visit www.arthritis.org.
About Grotto Pizza
Grotto Pizza, Inc. first opened in 1960 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware by owner Dominick Pulieri. Since then Grotto Pizza has grown to 24 locations throughout Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Still a family owned business, Grotto Pizza is a family casual dining restaurant that specializes in award winning pizza and hospitality. Dominick Pulieri is involved in day-to-day operations and preaching the company culture that it is,“All About the Guest.”
In addition to the Columbia restaurant, Grotto Pizza has a second central Maryland location in Gambrills(2404 Brandermill Blvd., 21054). Hours for both locations are Sunday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, visit www.grottopizza.com or its Facebook and Twitter pages at GrottoPizzaDE.
