Conceived to Become the Largest Collaborative Fundraising Event…

BOCA RATON, Fla. - March 14, 2019 - PRLog -- More than 600 serious runners and casual walkers gathered at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) stadium to show their support for 26 area nonprofit groups at the Spirit of Giving Network's (www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com) inaugural family-friendly Community Spirit Race.  Delivering success on many levels for more than two dozen diversified missions, the certified and chip-timed 5K, 1-mile run and Boca Raton Firefighter and Paramedic Benevolent uniformed firefighters guided "Community Heroes Fun Run" for kids kicked off with a healthy breakfast served by the Fit Foodz Café.  All were followed by awards ceremony, a Kids Zone of family activities and a nonprofit/vendor expo promoting health and safety.

Opening ceremonies featured 2018 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl Idol Winner Adriana Foster singing the National Anthem and welcomes from Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, Palm Beach County Commissioner Robert Weinroth, Boca Raton City Council Member Andrew Thomson and Presenting Sponsor Comerica. Early morning inspiration was provided by Barb Schmidt of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life who founded Spirit of Giving over 10 years ago, followed by a crowd-pleasing runner/walker warm-up session by Orangetheory professional trainers.

5K Awards were presented to top three overall, top masters male/female,
five-year age groups three-deep: ages 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19 to 70+.

·       Male Overall Winners: Stephen Zorc 16:48; Harry Olsthoom, 19:08, Matt Triggs 19:14

·       Female Overall Winners: Sara Gomez 18:51, Nicole Chiappone 19:23,
Elga Caccialanza 20:36

·       Male Master Winner: Zac Kraev 19:28

·       Female Master Winner: Ulrike Vernachio 22:34

·       Complete results can be found at https://www.accuchiptiming.com/images/race_results/2019/Community_Spirit_Age_Group_Results.htm

As anticipated, the first-time event brought together nonprofits, businesses and individuals
for an opportunity for nonprofits to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support their missions without having to individually shoulder the costs and organize the logistics.This 'cooperative' event was all-encompassing, fun and efficient so that the participating nonprofits and their supporters need only focus on raising funds.

"We are so pleased with the enthusiastic nonprofit response and sponsor support for this first-time collaboration of more than two dozen nonprofits that do not have the resources to organize, promote and staff their own 5K fundraisers," noted Spirit of Giving Executive Director Sue Diener. "We already have nonprofits planning to return for next year's event and new ones interested in recruiting teams as well."

The inaugural event benefited American Association of Caregiving Youth, APT Kids, Best Foot Forward, Boca Raton Firefighter & Paramedic Benevolent, Boca Raton Police Athletic League, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County, BPAN Warriors, Brain Bowl, CROS Ministries, Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida, Girls on the Run, Impact 100, Junior Achievement of South Florida, Junior League of Boca Raton, Kidsafe Foundation, League of Ribbons, MECE Preschool and Kindergarten, Operation 120, Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton, Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, Speak Up for Kids, Special Spaces Boca Raton, Unicorn Children's Foundation, United Community Options, and Youth Activity Center.

"It was exciting to be a driver for this inaugural event supported by Boca's business, health and fitness organizations and nonprofits; the collaboration empowers and enriches our community," said Patricia Nobles, Vice President and Florida Market President for Comerica, the Community Spirit Race presenting sponsor. "We were pleased to bring out our own "Comerica Cares" team of employees to participate in addition to our financial support."

Additional sponsors included The Great Charity Challenge, 4 Girls Foundation, Children's Services Council Palm Beach County, Bobby Campbell, Colonial Life, FAU Medicine, TD Bank, Tendler Orthodontics, BB&T, Flanigan's, Penn-Florida, BEATZ 96.3, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, Orangetheory, Fast Signs Boca Raton, Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl and Kaye Communications, Inc.

Spirit of Giving Network is a collaborative, nonprofit organization with a focus on children and families in South Palm Beach County has been leader in researching and implementing best practices that educate and build capacity to strengthen its community as a whole for over
15 years. Its mission is to create alliances with nonprofit organizations by sharing resources and providing education to strengthen and unify to bring vibrancy to communities. With more than 60 nonprofit member organizations meeting on a monthly basis with a shared goal of streamlining the delivery of services to the community by working collaboratively to solve issues and improve operations through internal and external partnerships. Annual programming includes community volunteer training, screening and placement, Level 2 live scan fingerprinting, annual Back-to-School Bash & Health Carnival, Annual Holiday Gift Drive, Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, monthly member networking meetings, forum for nonprofits
radio program.

For more information on Spirit of Giving and its membership, programming and events, visit www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com, email info@spiritofgivingnetwork.com or call
(561) 385-0144.