Candidates needed for CVD race

Candidate registrations for the Conejo Valley Days Grand Marshal Race are being accepted through Fri., March 30. The races begin the following day. Winners will be announced at a Grand Marshal Race final countdown dinner and lastminute fundraiser on Fri., April 27 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks.

The traditional Grand Marshal Race for Charity is designed for Conejo Valley nonprofit groups to raise funds for local charities. Clubs and organizations, including Rotaries, Kiwanis and Elks, have entered candidates over the years who have raised money for their groups by hosting a variety of fundraising events. All candidates take on a country campaign name and the candidate who raises the most money for his or her organization during the race is designated the CVD Grand Marshal.

For the second year, a Junior Grand Marshal will be selected. These candidates come from local schools and raise money through on- and off-campus events for their school, sports teams, bands and clubs.

"Fundraising activities can be as creative as the teens want them to be. It's up to them and their team," said Diana Javurek, CVD off-site chair. "Last year was our first year, and we had only one candidate- 'Kelli The Kid' Scarangello. This year, we're looking for good oldfashioned schoolversus-school competition."

A new category is the "Dynamic Duo." In this category, an adult and child team up to raise funds. Young candidates must be between ages 5 and 17 and adults must be 18 years or older.

"Here's an opportunity for, say, a player and Little League coach or a Girl Scout and Scout leader to team up to raise money," said Javurek.

All candidates ride in the Conejo Valley Days Parade on Sat., May 5, receive free, five-day passes to the CVD festival and have the opportunity participate in many CVD events. They also receive a commemorative Conejo Valley Days badge. Winners receive free lifetime passes to Conejo Valley Days.

"The Grand Marshal Races increase overall community awareness about the entering organizations," said Pamela Whiting, CVD Grand Marshal chair. "It's a way to experience the fun and tradition of Conejo Valley Days while raising significant funds for local organizations.

"We've shortened the race from six weeks as in years past down to about three and a half weeks," said Whiting. "We feel this is an advantage for the candidates. The race takes on an urgency, and people are more apt to contribute if they only have a limited time to do so."

For questions, call Javurek at (818) 881-8900 or e-mail, dianaj@wheatman.com; Marty Campbell at (805) 405-9017 or martyc@c21america.com; or Whiting at (805) 713-7609 or pamela.whiting@wellpoint.com.