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NEEDHAM, Mass., April 17, 2008 – With offers to provide clothing, food, and
financial support, New Balance and Stop & Shop, two of New England’s most
notable companies, have signed on as the presenting sponsors of the
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) Kids Rides.
Made up of nearly 30 bike-a-thons for children under the age of 15, the PMC
Kids Rides program will take place in June, in towns throughout
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, to raise money for cancer research and
treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. Combined,
the corporate sponsorship has an attributed value in excess of $400,000
toward the program and the PMC weekend.
Started in 1998 with one ride for children in Medfield, Mass., the PMC Kids
Ride Program is now a model of youth philanthropy. It has raised nearly $1
million in the past 9 years. This year, the 28 PMC Kids Rides are working
to raise $600,000, which will become part of the Pan-Mass Challenge’s
annual gift to the Jimmy Fund. The PMC’s overall goal for 2008 is to raise
and contribute $34 million.
The idea to sponsor the PMC Kids Rides program came from the top levels at
New Balance and Stop & Shop. In August 2007, the CEOs of both companies
rode in the Pan-Mass Challenge for the first time. After PMC weekend, they
were moved to get their companies involved at the corporate level.
“New Balance has always been a strong supporter of community programs that
promote a healthy lifestyle for children and families,” says Rob DeMartini,
CEO at New Balance. “The PMC Kids Rides is a fun and engaging collaborative
program that teaches kids the importance of philanthropy and physical
activity. We are proud to support these young cyclists. ”
New Balance has made a financial contribution to the PMC Kids Ride program
and the company will be the exclusive, performance apparel supplier for a
new line of PMC official gear. New Balance will also outfit the PMC
volunteer staff, and create a fun, interactive NB booth experience at
select PMC Kids Ride locations. Stop & Shop will provide food for each of
the PMC Kids Rides as well as trucks to transport food during PMC weekend.
Stop & Shop stores will display PMC Kids Rides posters throughout the
season.
“I’ve seen the incredible spirit and hope generated when thousand of people
who volunteer and ride in the PMC work together,” says Stop & Shop CEO José
Alvarez. “Our company has supported the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber for 18
years. Becoming a presenting sponsor of the PMC Kids Rides is a way of
increasing our commitment to the cause and to investing in the future,
which lies in our children.”
In addition to raising money for cancer research, the PMC Kids Ride program
teaches children about philanthropy and the value of doing something to
help others. The rides also give children an athletic and active way to get
involved and work with others in their communities toward a common goal.
PMC officials say the major corporate support of the PMC Kids Rides program
is an endorsement of the Kids Ride mission.
“PMC Kids Ride program is like the PMC’s farm system,” says PMC Founder and
Executive Director Billy Starr. “The children riding in PMC Kids Rides
today are likely to become PMC cyclists in the future.”
About The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge:
The PMC, presented by the Red Sox Foundation and Overstock.com, is a
pioneer in the athletic fundraising industry and today raises more money
than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. On August 2 and
3, 2008, 5,500 cyclists from 36 states and six countries will travel seven
routes, logging between 47 and 190 miles over one or two days, through 46
scenic Massachusetts towns to raise $34 million for cancer research and
treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. For more
information about the PMC, call 800-WE-CYCLE or visit www.pmc.org..
About New Balance:
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, Mass., has the following mission:
Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes
are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud
to host. New Balance employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and
in 2007 reported worldwide sales of $1.63 billion. For more information
please visit www.newbalance.com.
About Stop & Shop:
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, based in Quincy, Mass., employs more
than 59,000 associates and operates 389 stores throughout Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey.
For more information visit www.stopandshop.com.
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