Projo Running Blog

The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K provides this announcement about the beneficiaries of this year's race:

CVS CAREMARK DOWNTOWN 5K DONATIONS REACH $1 MILLION MARK

$225,000 raised at this year's race is awarded to local nonprofit organizations and schools

Woonsocket, R.I. (November 20, 2008) - Today CVS Caremark Downtown 5K awarded $225,000 in grants to more than 50 nonprofit organizations and schools from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The amount raised by the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K represents the best turnout ever for the race -- over 8,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes registered -- and subsequently, a record-breaking year for funds raised. The amount also marks an important milestone: the tally of charitable funds raised during CVS Caremark's 9-year sponsorship of the Downtown 5K reached $1 million.

More than 150 youths and adults - including track and field coaches, student runners, and representatives from area nonprofit organizations - convened in Woonsocket at the CVS Caremark Customer Support Center to celebrate the milestone and receive grants for their respective schools and organizations.

"We are pleased to be delivering such great news this year, especially given the difficult economic climate," said Larry Merlo, executive vice president of CVS Caremark Corporation and president of CVS/pharmacy. "Through the success of the 2008 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K we have helped numerous nonprofit organizations fulfill their important missions and schools to sustain important athletic and physical education programs."

Merlo added, "While the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K allows us to give back to the community, it also affords us an opportunity to partner with many wonderful local organizations and rally around the importance of health and fitness. We are here tonight to recognize the many dedicated volunteers and community partners who contribute to the success of the race each year."

Representatives from the following nonprofit groups were honored and presented with grants at the gathering: All Children's Theatre, Amos House, Blaze Sports America, Inc.; Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket, Carroll Center for the Blind, Exeter/West Greenwich Sports for Kids, Hockomock YMCA, Kids First, Meeting Street, National Braille Press, PARI Independent Living Center, Perkins School for the Blind, Providence After School Alliance, Rhode Island Association for Health, Physical, Education, Recreation and Dance; Special Olympics Rhode Island, Tomorrow Fund, Women's Center of Rhode Island, and YMCA of Greater Providence.

Additionally, organizations providing volunteers for the race - including schools, track clubs and nonprofit organizations, were recognized at the dinner and awarded grants. They included: A Wish Come True, American Red Cross, Attleboro Jaguars Track Club, Autism Project of Rhode Island, Bishop Hendricken High School, Chariho High School, Civil Air Patrol, East Greenwich High School, East Providence High School, Johnson & Wales University for Sophia Academy, Johnston Recreation Department, LaSalle Boys Track Club, LaSalle Girls Basketball, LaSalle Girls Track Club, Lincoln High School, North Kingstown High School, North Kingstown Middle School Track Club, Rhode Island Boys Track Association, Rhode Island Girls Track Association, Rhode Island Interscholastic League, Rhode Island Track and Field Guild, Sentinel Striders, Thunderbolt Track Club, Tollgate High School, Yawgoo Valley Search and Rescue Team 501.

To further promote health care and to emphasize the importance of physical activity for children, CVS Caremark Downtown 5K also awarded $500 grants to 10 schools that won random drawings. School teams with 25 or more children who participated in the 2008 CVS Caremark Youth Races or High School Inspirational 3K qualified for the drawings, which were earmarked to assist physical education programs. The winners of these grants are Goff Junior High, Lincoln High School, Middletown High School, Mount Pleasant High School, Our Lady of Mercy, Pilgrim High School, Prout High School, St. Paul Runners, Wyman Elementary, and Vartan Gregorian Elementary.

At the dinner and grant presentation event, Merlo also acknowledged the children with special needs who participated in the All Kids Can Inspirational segment of the 2008 race.

"These special athletes displayed both determination and joy as they participated in the race, and provided us with great inspiration. We thank them for their involvement and extend our gratitude to Blaze Sports America, Inc., Carroll Center for the Blind, Meeting Street and Special Olympics Rhode Island for partnering with us to recruit these special athletes. The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Inspirational segment is an important extension of our All Kids Can program, which focuses on helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life."

The 2009 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 20. Organizers are projecting that a number of Olympians and other elite runners will be returning to Providence to compete in the race.

 Tags  CVS Caremark Downtown 5K

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