EHS Contact: Angela Kieffer
Student Council Co-Advisor
952-848-3039
angkieffer@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charity 5k run/walk to benefit the Edina chapter of the A Better Chance Program

Edina, Minn., Jan. 22, 2010 – Runners across Edina will be voluntarily freezing their buns off this month for a good cause. On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Edina chapter of the A Better Chance (ABC) Program will hold its first-annual 5k run/walk fundraiser at Rosland Park in Edina.

The run – which costs $15 for students, $25 for adults and $40 for families – will contribute 100 percent of the proceeds to the Edina ABC Program. The ABC program aims to increase the number of well-educated minority students and provide them with academic opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.

Established in 1972, the Edina ABC chapter recruits highly motivated minority students from challenging environments across the country and brings them to Edina High School (EHS) for the academic year. The non-profit program usually admits about 12 students at a time. In 2005, the Edina chapter became the first in the nation to graduate 100 students.

“The kids in the program are leaving their families and communities to come here,” said Angela Kieffer, co-advisor to EHS Student Council which is helping to put on the event. “They really deserve the opportunity to have people acknowledge that they’re living here and doing it on their own.”

Sign in for the event will start at 9:30 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m.  Although technically a race, organizers stress that the event is non-competitive in nature. Every participant will receive a t-shirt for running, jogging, walking or even skipping. Parents are invited to bring their children. Those too young to run can enjoy the sledding hill under the supervision of race volunteers.

Those who are unable to run can still contribute by sponsoring a runner or donating to the event itself. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorship should contact Sherry Nuness, executive director of the Edina ABC Program, at 952-848-3801 or shenuness@edina.k12.mn.us.

Potential runners can find a printable version of the registration form at www.freezeyourbusoff.org. Paper forms can be dropped off at the EHS main office, door No. 7, but the site provides directions for electronic registration and payment. Checks should be made out to EHS Student Council.

About Edina Public Schools:
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves a large portion of Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

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