Jeremy Keenan's Fundraiser:
AMAA YOUTH FUND TEAM 2015
BENEFITING: AMERICAN RUNNING ASSOCIATION
ORGANIZER: AMERICAN RUNNING ASSOCIATION
THE STORY:
I'm running the 2015 Boston Marathon for the American Medical Athletic Association, which carries out programs for youth fitness (see below for more information). This will be the fifth of the "Big Five" marathons that my sister Meghanne and I have run (Chicago, New York, Berlin, London, Boston). We need to raise $10,000 altogether so if my site is nearing $5000 then please give to my sister's (http://tinyurl.com/lxz4wut). Thanks for your support!
About the charity:
BENEFITTING AMAA's YOUTH FITNESS FUND
The Problem: Over 30 percent of children ages six to 11 are overweight, 15 percent are obese, and three out of five children ages nine to 13 don't participate in sports or other coached physical activities outside of school. These overweight and unfit children are more likely to remain unhealthy in adulthood and have an increased risk for developing life-threatening medical conditions such as Type II diabetes and heart disease.
The Solution: The American Running Association (ARA) and its medical division, the American Medical Athletic Association, are united in efforts to deter youth obesity in the U.S. and promote higher levels of physical activity for school-age youth. Donations made to ARA and AMAA's Youth Fitness Fund will benefit national RUN A MILE DAYS, held annually in May. Funds will support distribution of free materials such as the 8-week walk/run training schedule and posters, as well as help with onsite activities during the week-long event. To learn more about the program, go to www.runamile.org.
The ARA and AMAA also host an annual cross-country championship for middle schoolers through high school students from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. This event, held in November, is entering its eighth year and has grown to over 500 participants.
Support for the ARA/AMAA Youth Fitness Fund will help expand the organizations' efforts to increase the number of grass-roots youth running events nationwide.
Tax information: The ARA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN: 520904288), so you may be able to deduct this from your personal income taxes.
