Track Shack Youth Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Giving

Foundation marks 25th anniversary of supporting youth sports programs

ORLANDO, Fla., April 2019 – The Track Shack Youth Foundation, whose purpose is to promote lifelong health and fitness emphasizing youth and running programs in our Central Florida community, announced that 2019 marks the foundation’s 25th anniversary. 

The foundation was established in 1994 by Jon and Betsy Hughes, owners of Central Florida’s premier running specialty store and event marketing and management company, Track Shack.  The foundation was established for the purpose of promoting health and fitness with an emphasis on youth programs.

Since its inception, the foundation has supported hundreds of youth sports programs and has granted more than $2.5 million in donations to schools and organizations that don’t have the financial funding available.  The Smile Mile Running Club was also established, which provides an entire training program to schools who are interested in starting a running program at their school but are unsure where to start.  The running club name originated from the Smile Mile event, held every March in Orlando for children 11 years and younger to participate.  All proceeds benefit the Track Shack Youth Foundation. 

“We are so proud of the success of the Foundation,” said Betsy Hughes, Co-Owner of Track Shack.  “Jon and I established the foundation because we both fell in love with running at an early age.  We wanted to provide young people throughout our community that same opportunity by supporting youth fitness programs.”

The Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees who have an interest in and dedication to the mission of the Foundation.  The Board meets quarterly and oversees the organization in the distribution of available funds. 
 “We are very fortunate to have a variety of youth fitness programs available in the Central Florida community and we are proud to be able to support so many of them,” said Scott Millson, President of Track Shack Youth Foundation.  “These programs teach children and young adults the importance of teamwork and leadership.  Our board of trustees is extremely thankful for everyone who contributes to our Foundation.  It is because of our donors that we are able to provide funding to so many important programs.”

A 25th anniversary celebration and fundraiser is scheduled to be held at the Orlando Country Club on April 30th.  Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first-ever women's Olympic marathon Gold medalist and a distance running legend, is scheduled as the guest speaker to share her personal experience on never giving up as well as how her passion, grace and discipline helped her to defy odds, break records and achieve her goals.

About Track Shack Youth Foundation

Celebrating their 25th year, the Track Shack Youth Foundation’s purpose is to promote lifelong health and fitness emphasizing youth and running programs in our Central Florida community. To date, over $2.5 million has been committed to the local community, supporting a variety of different programs.  The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded by Jon and Betsy Hughes, co-owners of Track Shack and Track Shack Events, and is managed by a Board of Trustees who have an interest in and dedication to the mission.  To find out more about the Track Shack Youth Foundation, to donate or apply for funds, please visit www.trackshackfoundation.org.

Use Facebook to Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you.