MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Lee, Media Relations Coordinator, (757) 926-3685
City Manager Jim Bourey today announced the selection of three local charities to be the beneficiaries of the inaugural Newport News One City Marathon taking place on March 15, 2015. The Newport News Mayor’s Book Club, Soundscapes, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank were chosen out of ten applications submitted for consideration.
“The important work that these organizations do is vital to a healthy community and supports the goals of the One City Marathon,” said Bourey. “Being named one of the marathon charities provides the opportunity for increased awareness of and financial support for the programs they offer to the residents of our city.”
As selected charitable partners, these organizations will benefit from promotion on the marathon website and through social media, inclusion in the post-race celebration, and online donation opportunities at race registration. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the marathon will be distributed to these three charitable organizations.
Brief descriptions of the charitable partners follow.
The Newport News Mayor’s Book Club promotes early literacy, improves social and emotional development, and focuses on the belief that reading is a core value. During the school year, the mayor and community volunteers read a selected book-of-the-month to children in preschools throughout the city. A critical component of the program is to provide each child enrolled in the preschool classes with a copy of the selected book.
Soundscapes is a nonprofit, El Sistema-inspired, intervention and educational organization dedicated to teaching transformational life skills to disadvantaged youth using intensive music study and ensemble performance. Through after-school and summer programs, Soundscapes has demonstrated success in developing cognitive and social skills as well as character for youth in grades 1 through 8 who are at-risk.
The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank receives, inventories and distributes food and grocery products to over 90 charitable agencies in the City of Newport News including faith based organizations, pantries and shelters. The Foodbank serves as the front line of hunger relief, partnering with member agencies and food programs to serve those in our community who are food insecure.
About the One City Marathon – www.onecitymarathon.comPresented by Newport News Shipbuilding, the inaugural Newport News One City Marathon will take place Sunday, March 15, 2015. The marathon will run the entire 26 mile length of the city, with Newport News Park as the setting for the start of the race and the Victory Arch in downtown will serve as the finish line. Along the way, the certified course will take runners past various cultural amenities, educational institutions, businesses and neighborhoods. The marathon, which also offers a relay option, culminates at a One City Celebration festival at Victory Landing Park as runners race through the finish line. In addition to the marathon, there will be an 8K Run/Walk and a Kids Fun Run. Marathon weekend will also include a Health and Wellness Expo at the Newport News Marriott at City Center.