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Family-focused fun runs in five Midwest communities will raise money to help children with cancer
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (May 18, 2017) — Today, Hy-Vee, Inc. announced it is once again partnering with Pinky Swear Foundation, a national charitable organization that supports children with cancer and their families, to host several kids fundraising events across the Midwest this summer. The past two years, this unique partnership brought Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlons to Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha and the Quad Cities. This year, instead of triathlons, family fitness events titled — Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run — will take place in the same cities and will include a 1 mile or 1K fun run and a 5K run/walk for the entire family, as well as a fitness expo.
Instead of focusing on competition, children and families at all fitness levels are encouraged to participate to help raise money for kids with cancer and their families. The money raised provides basic needs — such as mortgage and rent, transportation, utilities, gas cards and food — and experiences that create emotional support to impacted families. According to Pinky Swear Foundation, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 45 minutes in the United States and 1 out of 11 families given that news will file for bankruptcy.
“We are proud to once again partner with the Pinky Swear Foundation to highlight our commitment to health and wellness while also giving back to our communities,” said Ryan Grant, director of sports marketing at Hy-Vee. “While the format of our Hy-Vee Pinky Swear events has changed, the mission remains the same — to connect fitness and fundraising to raise money for children with cancer.”
Over the past two years, more than 4,200 kids ages 6–18 participated in the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlons, raising more than $630,000.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Hy-Vee to bring family fun events to cities in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska,” said Erica Campbell, executive director of Pinky Swear Foundation. “I am proud of the work we’ve done to engage youth in these communities, so they can help their peers who have been impacted by cancer. We’re excited to work with Hy-Vee to make this a fundraising event the whole family can take part in, and we look forward to our partnership serving hundreds of additional children and families.”
2017 Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run Event Schedule:
- July 16 — Centennial Park, Davenport, Iowa
- Aug. 13 — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Aug. 19 — Lake Ann, Chanhassen, Minnesota
- Sept. 24 — Principal Park, Des Moines, Iowa
- Sept. 30 — Lewis & Clark Landing, Omaha, Nebraska
Continuing a 14-year legacy in the Twin Cities, the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlon will take place at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 5.
Register now to participate in one of the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run events at www.pinkyswear.org/events.
About Hy-Vee, Inc.
Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 240 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $9.8 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s 84,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
About Pinky Swear Foundation
Founded in 2003, Pinky Swear Foundation is a 501c(3) not-for-profit passionately committed to helping children with cancer and their families by responding to the immediate crisis facing families with a childhood cancer diagnosis. Pinky Swear supports families’ quality-of-life with financial assistance for basic needs and through experiences that create emotional support, so they can focus on what’s most important: their child battling cancer. Inspired by a pinky swear promise made between a 9-year-old boy and his dad, the foundation engages kids to help grow the community of keepers of the pinky swear. Pinky Swear Foundation fundraising activities include annual kids triathlon events, the Hy-Vee® Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run events, National Pinky Swear Day on December 11, and other community engagement events around the nation. Visit www.pinkyswear.org for more information.