Team Relay Race to Raise Funds and Awareness for Children Affected by
Domestic Violence
Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Series Also Includes
Seven 'Partner Relays' Encompassing California, Colorado, Illinois, North
Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin
NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Domestic violence affects one in
three women, and up to 10 million children witness domestic violence
annually. To help children affected by domestic violence, the Avon
Foundation is producing the third annual Need for Speed Relay Against
Domestic Violence on Sunday, June 8 with a 50-mile route covering
Westchester and Rockland Counties, New York. In addition to this annual
"anchor" race, the 2008 Need for Speed Relay Series includes seven
"partner" relay races across the country, taking place from New Hampshire
to California, offering participants the opportunity to raise funds and
awareness for the important cause of domestic violence.
Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence "Anchor" event in
Westchester and Rockland, NY
The third annual anchor event will take place in Westchester and
Rockland Counties, NY, on Sunday, June 8, with over 150 teams expected to
take part, including runners from the tri-state and beyond. The event is
open to women and men of every level of running expertise, with six to nine
members per team. The relay is a 50-mile, 9-leg race that begins at
beautiful Bear Mountain Park, journeys through scenic Westchester County
via Hudson River towns, state and county parks and trails, ending with a
celebration in downtown New Rochelle.
Last year, the Need for Speed Relay attracted 130 teams of runners
representing 20 states, who enjoyed perfect weather and raised more than
$280,000. Teams can be independent or sponsored by clubs, schools,
corporations or organizations. Already registered for 2008 are dozens of
teams of dedicated runners, each with a unique team name and a designated
captain, including:
-- Bear Mountain Brawlers, led by team captain Thomas Kletecka of
Yonkers, NY
-- Bovine Intervention, led by team captain Heather Genovese of Manhattan
-- Cops on the Run (from the NYPD 40th Precinct), led by team captain
Brandon Bunting
-- Muller Lites, led by team captain Lauren Muller of King of Prussia, PA
-- Racing in the Streets, led by team captain Chris Cuttita of Manhattan
Also among the runners will be three teams from G.H. Bass & Company,
including the returning Bass Flyers and Speedy Weejuns. The company is also
a Volunteer Sponsor of the Need for Speed Relay.
Proceeds from the Need for Speed Relay will be awarded by the Avon
Foundation to domestic violence organizations in the region to help
children affected by domestic violence. The designated beneficiaries for
the 2008 funds raised are:
-- Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation
-- Northern Westchester Shelter
-- Safe Horizon
-- Sanctuary for Families
-- Shelter Our Sisters
The event will culminate with a celebration in "New Roc City" in
downtown New Rochelle, where participants, family, friends and spectators
will join together at a finish-line festival complete with prizes for top
teams in speed and fundraising accomplishments, food and beverages, and
music by event sponsor Q104.3 radio. Top fundraisers will also earn access
to a special VIP area and unique gift bags and prizes.
There is plenty of time to get involved! The team registration fee is
$500 by May 9 and $600 by May 30. More information and registration is
available at http://www.needforspeedrelay.org or by calling 888-NFS-RELAY. Runners
are encouraged to sign up today and help end the cycle of domestic
violence.
"We invite more runners to sign up to have fun while helping such an
important cause," stated Carol Kurzig, Executive Director, Avon Foundation.
"The Need for Speed Relay offers competition, camaraderie and the chance to
help children affected by domestic violence. It is a win-win for everyone."
Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series -- Seven
"Partner" Races
In addition to the anchor event in Rockland-Westchester, the Avon
Foundation in 2007 began partnering with existing relays in the U.S. to
create the Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series.
Each event offers participants the opportunity to dedicate their
participation to raising funds to help local children and families affected
by domestic violence, with funds raised awarded to domestic violence
organizations in each race community. The 2008 Need for Speed National
Relay Series include:
-- Madison-Chicago 200 Relay
Madison, WI to Chicago, IL -- June 6-7
-- Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure
Reno, NV/Tahoe, CA -- June 6-7
-- Green Mountain Relay
Jeffersonville to Bennington, VT -- June 21-22
-- Black and Blue Double Century Relay (cycling)
Virginia & North Carolina Mountains -- July 19
-- Wild West Relay
Fort Collins to Steamboat Springs, CO -- August 1-2
-- Blue Ridge Relay
Virginia & North Carolina Mts.-- September 5-6
-- Reach the Beach Relay
Franconia Notch to Hampton Beach, NH -- September 12-13
Visit http://www.needforspeedrelay.org/series for 2008 Relay locations,
details and updates, to register or donate.
About the Avon Foundation and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence
The Avon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1955 to
improve the lives of women, and today focuses on breast cancer and domestic
violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade supports access to care and
finding a cure, with the best known event the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative was launched in 2004 and
focuses on education, prevention and direct service programs, with
fundraising through product sales and events such as the Need for Speed
Relay Against Domestic Violence. More than $6 million has already been
awarded to 300 domestic violence organizations and programs. Through 2007
Avon total philanthropic programs in 50 countries have raised and awarded a
total of more than $580 million. Free downloadable domestic violence
educational literature, as well as more information on the Avon Foundation,
is available at http://www.avonfoundation.org. To register for the Need for Speed
Relay visit http://www.needforspeedrelay.org.
SOURCE Avon Foundation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.needforspeedrelay.org
http://www.avonfoundation.org
CONTACT:
Susan Arnot Heaney of Avon Foundation,
+1-212-282-5668, susan.heaney@avonfoundation.org
|
