PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate ReleaseApril 3, 2012Contact: Jackie Holt
No. 26/12 (804) 285-9495 x247
Sports Backers receives grant from Saucony Run For Good Foundation
$10,000 will help fund mission to expand youth fitness programs
RICHMOND, VA - The Sports Backers are thrilled to be one of seven applicants who were recently awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Saucony Run For Good Foundation. The grant was submitted by Sports Backers on behalf of Woodville Elementary School, an inner-city school in Richmond’s Public School District. Sports Backers has partnered with Woodville Elementary School for the past three years to encourage its students to participate in our youth running program.
With funding from the Saucony Run For Good Foundation, Sports Backers will be able to provide the assistance and resources necessary to help launch the new Woodville Runs for Fun program this spring. The money will go toward basic necessities such as running shoes, socks, and athletic gear for over 500 students. It will also give students the opportunity to participate in local running events. The Woodville Runs for Fun program will be modeled after the Sports Backers successful Kids Challenge program which was inaugurated in 2005. The incentive-based fitness program provides students with prizes at the 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mile marks as they work towards the goal of completing their first “marathon” over a 10-week period.
I am delighted and excitedthatthe entire Woodville Elementary School family has the opportunity to be the beneficiaries of the Saucony Run for Good grant. This money will enable our students and their families to realize the positive and healthy impacts running and physical activity will have on theirlives,” said Rosalind Taylor, Principal of Woodville Elementary School.
The grant has direct ties to Sports Backers Active RVA initiative. The goal of the community-wide, collaborative movement is to increase opportunities for physical activity in all parts of the region – regardless of age, gender or income level. A critical element of the vision to transform the Greater Richmond area into the most physically active community in the nation is to reach out to underserved populations and economically disadvantaged individuals.
About the Saucony Run for Good Foundation:
The Saucony Run For Good Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. They act to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth.
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Since the program’s 2006 launch, the Saucony Run for Good Foundation has given more than half a million dollars to nearly 60 organizations nationwide, all to promote running as part of a healthy, active lifestyle for kids.
More information on Sports Backers youth programs and Active RVA initiative can be found on
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100 Avenue of Champions, Suite 300│Richmond, VA 23230│ph (804) 285-9495│fax (804) 285-3132