Community Spotlight: Take Stock in Children 10K/5K/ and Fun Run Raise Funds for Four-Year Scholarships

LAKEWOOD RANCH – Take Stock in Children of Manatee County will hold its 7th Annual Take Stock 10k / 5k / Fun Run, on Sunday, March 6, 2016 along Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. The 10k will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the 5k is scheduled to begin at 7:35 a.m. The Kids Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and there will be a Post-Race party with food, entertainment, raffles, age-group awards and kids’ activities immediately following the race.

Proceeds from the run go directly to support 4-year college scholarships and mentoring for deserving Manatee County students. Take Stock in Children identifies students as early as sixth grades and provides them with a mentor and a college scholarship. In return, students commit to maintain a 2.5 or better GPA, remain drug and crime free, and meet with their mentor on a weekly basis.

Diana Dill, Executive Director of Take Stock in Manatee, says the program has proven success with a 96% graduation rate.

”Usually they’re the first person in their family to attend college,“ explains Dill. ”So you’re really breaking cycles of poverty with education and a volunteer mentor.“

All Manatee County Schools are being challenged to rally at least 300 runners to participate on their behalf. Every school that meets the challenge will be awarded a scholarship and a mentor for one of their students. Supporters can either register to run or select one of the virtual participation options.

”We’re excited about the virtual participant options because it means even if you’re out of town or have previous commitments, you can still support the school of your choice to win a scholarship,“ Dill said.

Support from local businesses can make a difference in the success of this event. We would be grateful if you could provide some type of donation to the race. In exchange for your donation, you will be given the opportunity to place marketing material in the goody bags of 2500+ participants as well as vendor space during the event.

Take Stock in Children is a non-profit organization that helps deserving children achieve academic and personal success by providing mentoring programs and college scholarships. The Florida Prepaid College Foundation matches the scholarship money raised dollar-for-dollar, thus creating more opportunity for young people who have shown their desire and commitment to attend college by maintaining a 2.5 or higher grade point average and remaining drug and crime free.

For additional information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Take Stock in Children Race Director, Bethany Lynch at (941)713-8935, bethany@takestockmanatee.org.