“We want to grow the sport of running and give back to our region.”
Help us achieve this mission by participating in the Fall 5k Series. Let’s show everyone what a great community Western Pennsylvania is for running. Let’s come together for good. Let’s support three great causes in the Simon Youth Foundation, Grove City Community Food Pantry, and the Lindenpointe Development Corporation.
Simon Youth Foundation
The first race of the Fall 5k Series, the Grove City Premium Outlets 5k, supports the Simon Youth Foundation. The Simon Youth Foundation helps at-risk teens graduate from high school. The foundation creates and initiates educational opportunities for students. SYF has maintained a 90% graduation rate at its Academies since inception, graduated more than 14,000 students, and awarded nearly $16 million in scholarships.
Primarily located in Simon Malls, Simon Youth Academies offer flexible schedules and small class sizes that make learning accessible to students who struggle to connect with material in a traditional classroom or school because of homelessness, bullying, serious illness, parenthood, supporting their families, or facing other challenging personal circumstances. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships to high school students in every community that is home to a Simon Mall. The foundation targets first generation college students and those with demonstrated financial need in order to extend educational opportunities to all students who want to learn, regardless of their circumstances. The Simon Youth Foundation provides these opportunities, ignites hope and serves as a starting point for students’ journeys toward lifetime success and achievement.
Grove City Community Food Pantry
The Grove City Community Food Pantry, founded in 1980, provides food and other basic necessities to underprivileged individuals and families residing in the Grove City School District. Participants in the Grateful Gallop 5k, on Thanksgiving day, are encouraged to donate canned foods, cereal, toiletries, and cleaning supplies to the food pantry. There will be a collection box for these items on race day.
Lindenpointe Development Corporation (LDC)
The concluding race of the Fall 5k Series, the Resolution Run 5k, supports the Lindenpointe Development Corporation. The Lindenpointe Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that supports local small business development. As a small business incubator, the LDC serves the PA/Ohio interstate region by providing education, training, mentorship, and other services to help local small businesses survive the early stages of development and lead them to future growth.
Making A Difference
This fall we can make a profound difference within our community. We can take the positivity of running and apply it to all aspects of life. We can bring new people to love the sport of running as much as we do. We can encourage a healthy lifestyle, a positive environment, and a competitive spirit. But we need your help to make this happen.