Run for Mercy 5K and Family Walk
Mercy Ministries of America hosts 5K run to support homes for troubled young women
On Saturday, October 10, 2009 athletes, families with children and power walkers can support Mercy Ministries of America at the Run for Mercy 5K and Family Walk in Lincoln, CA. Run for Mercy is an annual event for all ages, and children under 12 years of age can participate for free. This year, the non-profit residential program hopes to raise $26,000 to help young women between the ages of 13-28 who face life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, physical and sexual abuse, depression and unplanned pregnancy.
This 5 kilometer route will start and end at Mercy Ministries’ brand new Lincoln, California home. The starting time for the race is 9:00 am. Participants can either walk or run and should anticipate the race to take approximately 35 minutes for runners and 45 minutes for walkers to complete. Top finishers will receive medals and door prizes will be given away throughout the event. This celebration of hope and transformation will also have family friendly games, face painting and more!
“Team Mercy is by far the best team I have ever run with. I have run competitively since the 6th grade, but this is the first time I had a purpose bigger than myself,” said James Gaines, a past Run for Mercy participant. “Every step I took, it made me think of the Mercy girls and how their lives are being changed through being able to get the help they need, free of charge.” James literally placed a letter of encouragement that he had received from a Mercy girl in a plastic bag, put it in his shoe and ran with it in his shoe the entire race!
Since 1983, Mercy Ministries’ free-of-charge, voluntary Christian residential program has served a diverse population of young women from various socio-economic backgrounds, ages 13-28, who face a combination of life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, physical and sexual abuse, depression and unplanned pregnancy. Mercy Ministries of America has residential homes in Monroe, La.; Nashville, Tenn.; and St. Louis, Mo., and Lincoln, Calif. Mercy Ministries has global affiliates in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Peru. For more information on Mercy Ministries, please visit www.mercyministries.com.
Now is a great opportunity for the Sacramento community to support this ministry by joining an existing team, forming a new team or registering as an individual participant in this year’s 5K run.
Registration is NOW OPEN at www.runformercy.com/california
Source: Mercy Ministries of America
NFL’s Most Fanatical Family
‘Calling All Families’ Program Gives NFL Fans the Chance to Win a Trip to Super Bowl XLIV
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division and the National Football League are teaming up to give football fans across the country the chance to prove they are the NFL’s “most fanatical family” and win a five-day trip to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida, where they’ll watch The Big Game from a VIP suite at Dolphin Stadium.
Fans can enter between Aug. 23, 2009, and Oct. 5, 2009, by visiting www.nfl.com/callingallfamilies and submitting a photograph of their family on game day and a brief essay describing why they are the NFL’s most fanatical family.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the fans whose enthusiasm for the NFL and their favorite teams brings their families together and helps make NFL games so fun,” says Jason McDonell, Frito-Lay’s vice president and general manager of customer strategy. “Frito-Lay snack chips and dips bring something special to the game-watching experience, and we’re excited to be able to give some of the NFL’s biggest fans a family memory that will last a lifetime through our Calling All Families program.”
“We are pleased to work with Frito-Lay to celebrate our fans’ passion for the NFL through our Calling All Families program,” said Mark Waller, the NFL’s senior vice president of marketing and sales.
Frito-Lay and the NFL will support the Calling All Families program with point-of-sale displays at more than 20,000 grocery, mass merchandise, dollar and other retail channels that celebrate families’ at-home game watching environments and feature the Tostitos, Doritos and Lay’s brands. Frito-Lay and the NFL will also support the program with radio and print advertising.
A panel of judges composed of Frito-Lay and NFL executives will review all entries based on several criteria, including team spirit, enthusiasm for the game and demonstration of family gathering, and narrow the entries down to eight semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist and their family will travel to NFL Films to record a video bringing to life why they think they are the NFL’s “most fanatical family.”
From Dec. 1, 2009, to Dec. 15, 2009, fans can watch the videos online and vote for their favorite semifinalist. Then the two families that receive the most online votes will go head-to-head Dec. 16, 2009, to Jan. 3, 2010, with fans voting online to determine which family will win the Grand Prize — a five-day/four-night trip for the winner and up to five guests to attend Super Bowl XLIV, including round-trip air transportation, hotel accommodations, suite tickets to the game, and tickets to the Super Bowl Saturday Night Party and NFL Tailgate Party.
Complete rules are at www.nfl.com/callingallfamilies.
Foster Families and Children To Pitch In at Padres Game
May 16 events celebrate National Foster Care Month
To celebrate National Foster Care Month, more than 200 children and families involved in the foster care system will attend the San Diego Padres game on Saturday, May 16. Casey Family Programs and organizations from the San Diego Foster Care Coalition are coordinating the day-long events, starting with a pre-game “tailgate party” to honor San Diego County’s foster and adoptive parents.
For children in foster care, living a “normal” life can seem a distant dream. On Saturday these children will have the opportunity to enjoy a few carefree hours at the ballpark with those who care for them — something all children need.
The festivities are designed to raise awareness about the nearly 5,000 children in San Diego County’s foster care system. The pre-game event will include entertainment, activities for children, food, and a resource fair with information on support services for foster, kinship and adoptive families. The program begins at 2:00 p.m. at Casey Family Programs, 3878 Old Town Avenue in San Diego.
After the “tailgate party” the families will head to PETCO Park for the 7:05 p.m. Padres game against the Cincinnati Reds. The public will be encouraged to “Pitch In … Change a Lifetime” for children and youth in foster care. The Padres will provide announcements during the game and a special kiosk near the bleacher seats will have information on what everyone can do to help youth and families.
Each May, National Foster Care Month focuses attention on the nearly 500,000 children in foster care in America. The month also salutes the compassionate people who make a difference by serving as foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers, and volunteers. Children in foster care need what every child needs to thrive — a safe, loving and permanent home. An evening at the ballpark will give these youth a chance to experience something else that all children need — a fun evening shared with people who care about them, surrounded by a community of people committed to their well-being. Individuals can learn more about foster care at www.fostercaremonth.org
Casey Family Programs is a lead sponsor of National Foster Care Month. The program is in line with Casey’s 2020 Strategy, which states that we will safely reduce the number of youth in foster care by 50 percent by the year 2020 and work with jurisdictions across the country to improve their child welfare systems.
Casey Family Programs is the largest national foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve — and ultimately prevent the need for — foster care. The foundation draws on its more than 40 years of experience and expert research and analysis to improve the lives of children and youth in foster care in two important ways: by providing direct services and support to foster families; and by promoting improvements in child welfare practice and policy. The Seattle-based foundation was established in 1966 by UPS founder Jim Casey. Visit the Web site at www.casey.org.
San Diego Foster Care Coalition consists of agencies throughout San Diego County who work with some of the 5,000 youth in out-of-home care. Coalition members include Casey Family Programs, Kamali’i Foster Family Agency, Special Families, Walden Family Services, San Diego County FFA, New Alternatives, Inc., Angels Foster Family Agency, Trinity Youth Services, and San Diego County Adoptions.
National Foster Care Month is a partnership of The Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services; American Public Human Services Association/National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators; Casey Family Programs; Black Administrators in Child Welfare; Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Children’s Rights; Child Welfare League of America; Foster Care Alumni of America; FosterClub; Foster Family-Based Treatment Association; Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative; National Association of Social Workers; National Association of State Foster Care Managers; National CASA; National Foster Care Coalition; National Foster Parent Association; National Indian Child Welfare Association; National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning, a service of the Children’s Bureau; Orphan Foundation of America; Voices for America’s Children.
Source: Casey Family Programs
Hot Rates, Free Tickets on visitphoenix.com Make NBA All-Star Experience Accessible for Fans and Families
First 100 people to book get passes to All-Star Jam Session, Rookie Challenge
Fans who want to experience the weeklong festival of events that surround the 2009 NBA All-Star Game can find great deals on last-minute accommodations if they know where to look.
The Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau has created a one-stop reservation Web page, www.visitphoenix.com/allstar, where select hotels and resorts have posted special rates and packages for All-Star week (Feb. 12-16). Rates are as low as $169, and the first 100 people to book a room at one of the featured hotels will receive two tickets to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Feb. 13 and two passes to the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas.
“If you’re looking for prime hotel rates in Greater Phoenix for the NBA’s marquee event, this Web site is where you’ll find them,” said Doug MacKenzie, spokesperson for the Greater Phoenix CVB.
MacKenzie added that this NBA All-Star week promises to be more fan-friendly than ever.
“The enormity of new Phoenix Convention Center makes All-Star festivities really accessible this year,” he said. “This is a wonderful chance for fans and families to immerse themselves in the All-Star scene and see current and past NBA stars.”
The convention center is the site of All-Star Jam Session, the fan experience the NBA bills as the “world’s largest interactive basketball theme park.” Jam Session features more than 10 acres of interactive games and displays, and its Center Court will showcase the McDonald’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Feb. 13 and All-Star team practice sessions on Feb. 14. Tickets to Jam Session are $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 3-12.
US Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, will play host to Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, All-Star Saturday Night and the 58th All-Star Game itself. All-Star Saturday Night consists of the Shooting Stars competition, PlayStation Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout and Sprite Slam Dunk competition.
Sunday’s star-studded game will tip off at 6 p.m. MST.
Both US Airways Center and the Phoenix Convention Center are located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, on the city’s new METRO Light Rail line.
“Besides getting to see NBA stars and attend events like Jam Session, fans can expect sunny skies and 75-degree temperatures,” MacKenzie said. “This is simply a fabulous time to be in Phoenix.”
Source: Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
Holiday Relief: NBA Players Will Distribute Meals to 30,000 Families in Need This Holiday Season
NBA Players Association, Catholic Charities USA, and Feed The Children Team Up to Turn Season of Giving into Season of Feeding for Families Throughout the Country
The holidays are arriving early this year for thousands of families in NBA cities throughout the country. The National Basketball Players Association, Catholic Charities USA and Feed The Children announced today that they are teaming up to deliver meals to 30,000 deserving families this holiday season.
Catholic Charities will begin distributing 15,000 holiday sized USDA Grade A turkeys to families in NBA cities on December 12th. In addition, the NBPA and Feed The Children will host events in San Francisco on December 11th, Los Angeles on December 13th and Detroit on December 18th to distribute boxes of food and personal care items to an additional 5,000 families at each event.
“NBA players recognize how the current economy is impacting our fans and families all across the country,” said NBPA president Derek Fisher. “We appreciate that the need this year is greater than ever before and believe that working with these great organizations will help us expand our holiday outreach.”
This year’s effort continues the six-year partnership that the NBPA has with internationally recognized relief agency Feed The Children. Together, they have staged large scale distributions of food and personal care items to families in various cities.
“NBA players are no strangers to rolling up their sleeves to help their communities,” said Billy Hunter NBPA Executive Director. “The partnership with Feed The Children and Catholic Charities underscores that commitment and makes sure that these gifts get to the thousands of people who need it most during the holidays.”
“This holiday season will be brightened for thousands of adults and children across this country because of the generosity of the NBPA and NBA players. On behalf of all who will receive this benefit, Catholic Charities USA thanks the NBPA and NBA players for their work in the community,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA, the membership organization for over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies.
“The commitment of NBA players to their communities has helped to feed thousands of people in need, and provides a great example of how public-private partnership can make a difference in our communities,” said Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed The Children. “We are proud to partner with the NBPA to deliver the promise of the holiday season for so many children and families.”
Catholic Charities, USA
Catholic Charities USA’s members–nearly 1,700 local agencies and institutions nationwide–provide help and create hope for nearly 8 million people of all faiths and social and economic backgrounds. For more than 280 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
The National Basketball Players Association
The National Basketball Players Association is a unique labor institution. As the recognized labor union for all NBA Players, the NBPA has fought to promote the best interests of NBA players both on and off the court for over 40 years. Whether negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, prosecuting a grievance on a player’s behalf, or counseling a player on benefits or educational opportunities, the mission remains the same – To ensure that everything possible is being done to help players maximize their opportunities and achieve their goals on and off the court. The NBPA urges and assists players to give back to the community whenever possible.
Feed The Children
Founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in the US and in 118 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org.
Source: Catholic Charities USA