On Tuesday, July 4 in Portsmouth, hundreds will take part in the 5th annual Pack & Boots 5K Run/Walk, which features a certified 5K course, a 1-mile Survival Run and a Kids Fun Run.

Two of the races at this year’s event are new. For the Kids 5K, which will be run with the Adult 5K, kids — ages 14 and under —are encouraged to run or walk for a fun challenge of their own. For those with very young children, ages 5 and under, the Fun Run is 150 meters.

As for the course for the 5K Run/Walk, it kicks off at Peirce Island and loops around Portsmouth. The most unique aspect of this popular annual event, however, is the 1-mile Survival Run, in which participants are asked to run in boots and wear a backpack that contains approximately 10 percent of their body weight. Participants can also sign up for a combined race that includes both the 5K and Survival Run.

“The Survival Run is a lot of fun and is a great way to symbolically show support for our veterans,” said race director David Hampson, who has also run the race in prior years. “The crowds are great — it is one of my personal favorite races. It is challenging, scenic and festive.”

Aside from cash prizes for overall top finishers in the 5K and great race “swag” for all participants, the race is particularly appropriate for July 4 given that proceeds will be used to support Veterans Count.

Founded in 2006 as “a voice for veterans struggling to adjust back into civilian life,” the organization provides everything from emergency aid to financial assistance to veterans and their families.

“This is an incredible program that provides critically-needed services,” noted Hampson. “The race is a chance to show your support for the men and women who help ensure the liberties we enjoy every day. It is a wonderful family event with a very important mission.”

For Hampson, the race also underscores the “true importance” and meaning of July 4.

Mark Johnstone, President of Belknap Subaru, announced that for the third year the dealership has selected Veterans Count as its local charity for Subaru of America’s “Share the Love program.” The program donates millions of dollars to both local and national charities to help give back to causes important to their customers.

From Nov. 17 to Jan. 2, 2018, Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of the following charities: ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels Association of America and the National Park Foundation. In addition to the four national organizations, Belknap Subaru selected Easter Seals of New Hampshire, Veterans Count, as its local partner. Mark Johnstone, president of Belknap Subaru, said “We are excited to once more, share the love, with our vets, we hope our customers will stop by and learn about this outstanding organization, and select Veterans Count to receive these valuable funds.”

Veterans Count’s mission is to provide critical and timely financial assistance and services when no other resource is available to veterans, service members and their families, to ensure their dignity, health and overall well-being. The money is used locally and the need is great.

Said Scott Ives, general manager, “We are on a mission, to raise our totals over last year! Our people are deeply impressed with the commitment and dedication of the people who work daily to help our veterans! We are excited to partner with Veterans Count in 2017, to help raise money, and make a difference here in the Lake’s Region!”

Belknap Subaru dealership staff are shown here presenting Veterans Count with a check for $20,000. The dealership has announced plans to partner with the charity for a third year.

The fifth annual S.O.S. Salute Our Soldiers Gala on behalf of the Seacoast Chapter of Veterans Count is Saturday and will pay special tribute to veterans and service members of the Vietnam War era.

Veterans Count, an Easter Seals program, provides financial support for service members and veterans of all eras.

The event will be held at the Kane Estate at 5 Willow Ave. and will begin with a 5 p.m. cocktail reception. Music will be provided by the Legacy Swing Band Quartet. The program begins at 6:25 with Josh McElveen serving as master of ceremonies.

The posting of the colors will be performed by the U.S. Marine Corps Cadets ROTC from Winnacunnet High School. The Rev. Bruce Boria, pastor of Rye Bethany Church in Greenland, will provide the invocation. Gov. Chris Sununu will make remarks and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kenneth Clark will serve as the keynote speaker. Clark is a native of Laconia and a University of New Hampshire graduate. He served as commander of 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease from 1996 to 2001, when he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to the N.H. National Guard.

A special salute will be made to audience veterans from the Vietnam Era conflict.

A live auction with auctioneer Mark Fodero will help raise funds for Veterans Count.

Since 2007, Easter Seals Military & Veterans Services has served more than 9,000 individuals in a variety of ways including suicide prevention, homelessness, substance abuse treatment, employment, transportation, and mental health issues resulting from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. Veterans Count supports families through a care coordination model and provides emergency financial assistance for food, home maintenance, housing, rent, fuel assistance, utilities, vehicle repair, gasoline, medical bills, and child care.

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Portsmouth Herald — The fifth annual S.O.S. Salute Our Soldiers Gala on behalf of the Seacoast Chapter of Veterans Count is Saturday and will pay special tribute to veterans and service members of the Vietnam War era.

Veterans Count, an Easter Seals program, provides financial support for service members and veterans of all eras.

The event will be held at the Kane Estate at 5 Willow Ave. and will begin with a 5 p.m. cocktail reception. Music will be provided by the Legacy Swing Band Quartet. The program begins at 6:25 with Josh McElveen serving as master of ceremonies.

The posting of the colors will be performed by the U.S. Marine Corps Cadets ROTC from Winnacunnet High School. The Rev. Bruce Boria, pastor of Rye Bethany Church in Greenland, will provide the invocation. Gov. Chris Sununu will make remarks and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kenneth Clark will serve as the keynote speaker. Clark is a native of Laconia and a University of New Hampshire graduate. He served as commander of 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease from 1996 to 2001, when he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to the N.H. National Guard.

A special salute will be made to audience veterans from the Vietnam Era conflict.

A live auction with auctioneer Mark Fodero will help raise funds for Veterans Count.

Since 2007, Easter Seals Military & Veterans Services has served more than 9,000 individuals in a variety of ways including suicide prevention, homelessness, substance abuse treatment, employment, transportation, and mental health issues resulting from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. Veterans Count supports families through a care coordination model and provides emergency financial assistance for food, home maintenance, housing, rent, fuel assistance, utilities, vehicle repair, gasoline, medical bills, and child care.

Laconia Daily Sun — Laconia Motorcycle Week kicked off Saturday with the 11th annual Peter Makris Memorial Run, which drew nearly 300 riders and raised over $42,000 for charity.

“It was a fantastic day, the best Saturday since we’ve been here,” said Laconia Fire Chief Ken Erickson at a Motorcycle Week press conference held Monday morning at the NASWA Resort on Weirs Boulevard.

He said that one of the added attractions to the ride this year, a trip to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon where riders go to take two laps around the mile oval and one lap on the 1.6-mile road course, was a definite boost to attendance.

The $42,000 doesn’t top the previous high of $50,000 from two years ago but is expected to increase even more during the week according to Cynthia Makris, president of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association and also president of the NASWA Resort.

The ride is held in honor of Peter Makris, patriarch of the NASWA Resort and community leader, and has become the official kickoff for Laconia Motorcycle Week. In the previous 10 years, over $340,000 has been raised to fund the Laconia Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team, to support the Easter Seals New Hampshire Veterans Count program, the area CERT Emergency Response Team and other local charities, including a 2016 donation of $4,500 to the family of firefighter Kyle Jameson, who lost his battle to cancer just a year ago. Makris said, “we are so grateful to GM Dave McGrath for providing this opportunity to our riders. It is a ‘bucket list’ check for many. It was all that the riders could talk about when they came back here for the party Saturday afternoon.”

Charlie St. Clair, Laconia Bike Week Association executive director, said the Mae West Run, which was held Monday morning to benefit the New Hampshire Humane Society was expected to draw well over 200 bikers and raise over $10,000 for the charity.

“That’s over $50,000 for local charities in just two events. It shows how generous people in the motorcycle community can be,” said St. Clair.

Erickson noted that traffic was extremely heavy over the weekend and at one point was backed up to the traffic circle in Meredith and the Route 11-B intersection in Gilford. “It seemed like people were trying to avoid Weirs Boulevard, which is where we normally see backups. Police said the weekend was “busy but uneventful.”