BOSTON -- Come to Franklin on May 18 at 11 a.m. and walk or run for a great reason. It's the 7th Annual HMEA Independence 5K Walk and Run for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Hosted by EMC Corp., this great event will be held at 50 Constitution Blvd. in Franklin. Register online by clicking here or call 508-298-1105 for information.

Hosted by Gail Huff of WCVB TV and Rick and Dick Hoyt, this is a daylong family oriented event with a competitive 5K Race and flexible distance 5K fun run and walk on a flat course. The racecourse is USATF certified and has mile splits, water stations and volunteers along the route.

Registration is $19 for the race. Free T-shirts for all runners and fundraising walkers. Trophies and ribbons are awarded to top three finishers male and female in all age categories.

In addition to the free T-shirts, there's free food, entertainment and parking, plus children’s special activities and gifts for fundraising walkers and goodie bags for runners. Post event activities for kids and families, prizes for top fundraising walking teams. Special free kids raffle, too.

Food, games, raffles, kids corner, family activities will be available during and after the event. Also Ayla Brown, 2006 late-round finalist on "American Idol," will perform. Meet and greet the famous father/son marathon/triathlon team of Rick and Dick Hoyt, who will participate again this year and there will be a special appearance by the three time world champions New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot.

All net proceeds benefit 2,000 adults and children with developmental disabilities in central and southeastern Massachusetts supported by HMEA (Horace Mann Educational Associates).