Press Archive...............................
TRACK SHACK FOUNDATION GRANTS INSPIRING COMMUNITY SPIRIT
THROUGH MORE THAN $34,000 IN LOCAL GRANTS
ORLANDO, FL., February 26, 2009 -- The Track Shack Foundation board of directors recently awarded over $34,000 in grants to local organizations. The Track Shack Foundation supports local charitable causes, in particular, those that benefit youth and athletics programs.
The funds distributed from the Track Shack Foundation will support various community organizations for people of all fitness levels and ages to provide a range of community support from 3,000 nutritious lunches for homeless preschool children, to youth martial arts classes and other sports related camps at local YMCAs, to funding basic equipment to support local youth athletics.
“At Track Shack we feel privileged to have been a part of the running community for more than 31 years,” said Betsy Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack and Event Marketing & Management International. “We believe very strongly in contributing to those in need and keeping the spirit of health and fitness alive in our community. It’s truly our pleasure to provide these important grants to these great organizations.”
Recent grant recipients include:
- Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Inc., Orlando
- Gotha Middle School Runners Club
- Oak Ridge High School, Orlando Girls Track Team
- Downtown Orlando YMCA (Safe Start swim program)
- Reedy Creek Elementary School, Kissimmee (school running club)
- Apopka Memorial Middle School Running Club, Apopka
- Partin Settlement Elementary, Kissimmee (track and cross country program; race registrations for students in need)
- Rock Lake Middle School, Longwood
- Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando (cross country program)
- Vista Lakes Elementary School PE Department, Orlando (AED purchase for school)
- Lance Vigneault Memorial Scholarship Fund at Seminole Community College, Sanford (walk/run fundraiser)
- Jackson Heights Middle School, Oviedo (track team)
- Fast Start Track and Field Invitational, Winter Park for annual Fast Start Track & Field Invitational.
- Foundation for Foster Children, Tri-county area (success grants to foster children)
- Oviedo High School, Oviedo (equipment to upgrade the boys track program)
- Wekiva Elementary, Longwood (supplies for cross country program)
- Dommerich Elementary School, Maitland (walk/run fundraiser)
- Orlando Wildcats 16 under Girls Softball Team, Orlando
- Heathrow Elementary School, Lake Mary (school Mileage Club)
- St. Luke’s Lutheran School, Oviedo (athletic equipment for team sports)
The Track Shack Foundation grants have exceeded $2 million since 1994. The foundation helps provide health and fitness opportunities through adult training programs and the funding of youth athletic programs. For more information, please visit www.trackshack.com.
About Track Shack and Event Marketing & Management International
Track Shack of Orlando opened for business in 1977 as a small retail operation that focused primarily on selling running shoes and apparel. Event Marketing & Management International (EMMI), established in 1990 as Track Shack’s sister company, is a sports marketing company that specializes in marketing, management and production of active participation events. The mission of EMMI is that each event produced will benefit the entire community - runners, sponsors, and charities. Award-winning professional staff has earned EMMI a reputation as one of America’s top sports marketing companies. Jon and Betsy Hughes, co-owners of Track Shack and E.M.M.I., ensure that both businesses support charitable causes, in particular charities that benefit youth and youth athletics. This tradition continues through the creation of Track Shack Foundation in 1994. The Foundation was established as a 501 c(3) organization with the purpose of promoting health and fitness with an emphasis on youth programs.
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