FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Parker White, Founder/Executive Director
(336) 709-9649
parker@backpackbeginnings.org
Greensboro, NC (August 14, 2014) – Our Fifth Annual Kirkwood 5K Run/ Walk/ Push will take place in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Greensboro on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. This family friendly race will start and end at the Kirkwood Park and follow a fun, fast course through the lively Kirkwood Neighborhood. Check-in and registration will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. A Kids Fun Run is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the 5K, where awards will be given for the fastest male, female, child, stroller pusher, Kirkwood resident and first-time 5K participant.
With the support of the Kirkwood 5K’s title sponsor, Charles Aris Inc., all proceeds will benefit BackPack Beginnings, a local volunteer-run organization, with a mission to provide children in need with nutritious food, comfort items and other basic necessities through the use of backpacks. “Our entire team is passionate about the mission of BackPack Beginnings and the impact the organization has on our community at large. We look forward to running, walking and pushing at the K5K on August 24th!” says Chad Oakley, President and COO.
In the upcoming 2014-2015 school year, over 1,300 students in Guilford County will receive backpacks full of nutritious, child-friendly food to eat over the weekends through BackPack Beginnings Food BackPack Program. However, with 58% of the children in the Guilford County School system qualifying for free or reduced price meals, BackPack Beginnings hopes to expand the program with monies raised from this race. Donations and used shoes will be collected on race day.
Participation in the Kirkwood 5K is open to adults and children. The cost for individual registration is $30.00 for adults timed and $25.00 for adults untimed and $15.00 for kids 12 and under timed and $10.00 for kids 12 and under untimed. There is a $5.00 discount for registering before race day. Registration is available at www.kirkwood5k.org through August 22nd. For additional information or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.kirkwood5k.org or direct inquiries to kirkwood5k@gmail.com .
About BackPack Beginnings
BackPack Beginnings, founded in 2010 by Parker White, a native of Greensboro and mother of 2 children, is a 100 percent volunteer-run and donor-driven organization. What started out as a feeding program in one school feeding 50 children has grown to a multi-program organization serving over 2,500 children a year. During the 2014 school year, the Food BackPack Program will send nutritious, kid-friendly food home on the weekends to over 1,300 children in 24 Guilford County Title 1 elementary schools and Head Start programs. If you would like to find out more or support BackPack Beginnings through in-kind donations, funding or volunteering, please contact Parker White at parker@backpackbeginnings.org or visit www.backpackbeginnings.org.