Thousands of Kids Run for Healthy Lives Saturday, December 4, 2010

Nov. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Thousands of Kids Run for Healthy Lives Sat. Dec. 4
Ronald McDonald House Charities® Kids K and Read, Run and Recycle Marathon Mile!
2010 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival Event for Next Generation of Marathoners is One of the Largest Kids Events of Its Kind in the Nation.

West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida®, some 2,500 Palm Beach County youngsters will get off to a great start toward lifelong fitness by participating in the 7th annual RMHC Kids K and Marathon Read, Run and Recycle Mile on Saturday, December 4 at CityPlace. Supported by RMHC since its inception, the events combine fun and fitness and have grown to be among the largest of their kind.  

The events, taking place during the Marathon Festival of the Palm Beaches, are part of the Palm Beach County school district’s Get Out, Get Active fitness program to encourage fitness from an early age. “RMHC and McDonald’s share a common philosophy with the School District,” said Eric Stern, administrator physical education for the School District of Palm Beach County.  “This event is just one of the ways our joint partnership can teach children and families about the importance of living an active healthy life.”

Students train to run a full 26 mile marathon, running 2 miles a week at school this fall and completing the final mile at the Marathon Festival event. Students also are required to read for 15 minutes for each mile run on topics including fitness and nutrition, and are encouraged to recycle their gently used running shoes for donation to organizations that serve families in need.

Participants enjoy a fun warm up with Ronald McDonald and are greeted at the finish line by Ronald and local dignitaries. Each child receives a medal and enjoys the thrill of competing.

The event is one of many supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, established in 1988. The organization is dedicated to helping local children live happier and healthier lives and since its inception, has given over $4.2 million in local grants.  RMHC of South Florida also helps support the Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families who travel outside their own community to seek medical treatment for a child.  Currently, there are Ronald McDonald Houses in Miami on the grounds of Jackson Memorial Medical Center and in Fort Lauderdale on the grounds of the Broward General Medical Center.  RMHC of South Florida’s goal is to build their next Ronald McDonald House in Palm Beach County.

Funds for the grants are generated solely from canister collections in McDonald s restaurants throughout South Florida and matching funds from Global RMHC.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida’ mission is to make a difference in children’s lives.  Supporting the Kids K and Kids Read and-Run Marathon Mile is a great way to encourage them in adopting a healthy, active, balanced lifestyle, while having fun,” said Ricky Wade, McDonald’s owner operator and RMHC board member. “It is an ongoing commitment that is evident in RMHC’s partnership with programs such as this, and in McDonald’s restaurants support of local events and our expanded menu choices and easy access to nutrition education information in all our restaurants.”

The Marathon is just one example of RMHC and McDonald’s commitment to helping kids lead active lives. The charity and local McDonald’s owner/operators also support the Kids Fitness Festival each July with the Palm Beach Sports Commission, an event that draws around 5,000 children, and McDonald’s is active with the City of West Palm Beach’s annual FitKids Triathlon at Gaines Park, where kids run, bike and swim, just like the big guys.