RunnersWeb Athletics: Brooks Running Company Gives Back to Youth Running by Assisting More Than 20 Schools in Need

Brooks Booster Club provides more than $350,000 in gear and cash this year to support underfunded high school running programs across the country

SEATTLE: Sept. 13, 2016 - Staying true to its purpose of inspiring everyone to run and be active, Brooks Running selected 25 underfunded high school running teams as recipients for its 2016 Brooks Booster Club grants. Each team will receive running shoes, team uniforms and cash to help fuel ongoing participation in its track and cross country programs.

"The Brooks Booster Club invests in the heart and soul of the sport of running, helping to eliminate barriers for young athletes looking to participate," said Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber. "If we can help sustain these track and cross country programs at the high school level, there’s a much greater chance these athletes will stay active and lead healthier lives long after receiving a diploma."

"We know that many young runners and school teams face a tough reality when it comes to getting the resources they need to suit up and run," said Team Brand Manager Steve DeKoker. "We want to clear the way for these deserving athletes so they and their coaches can focus on one of the best parts of being on a high school team: running with others toward a common goal."

Schools receiving grants this year demonstrated a compelling need for assistance; team circumstances included entire student populations receiving free and reduced lunch, teams required to do all of their own fundraising in absence of any other budget, and population demographics that face higher rates of health concerns. Brooks accepted applications for grants throughout the year from schools in the U.S. and Canada and selected grant recipients based on need.

The 25 schools receiving Brooks Booster Club grants this year are:

Alhambra High School- Martinez, Calif.
Appleton City High School- Appleton City, Mo.
Ben Davis High School- Indianapolis
Bridgeport High School- Bridgeport, Mich.
Cherokee County High School- Centre, Ala.
Chief Kitsap Academy- Poulsbo, Wash.
Clearwater High School- Clearwater, Fla.
Climax Springs High School- Climax Springs, Mo.
Desoto County High School- Arcadia, Fla.
Edward H. White High School- Jacksonville, Fla.
Green County High School- Greensburg, Ky.
Kiefer High School- Kiefer, Okla.
Kiski Area School- Vandergrift, Pa.
Lebanon High School- Lebanon, Pa.
Legacy High School- Broomfield, Colo.
Liberty Bell High School- Winthrop, Wash.
Liberty High School- Liberty, S.C.
Moore Haven Middle-High School- Moore Haven, Fla.
Octorara Area High School- Atglen, Pa.
Rock Island High School- Rock Island, Ill.
Somerset Academy- Las Vegas
Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School- New Philadelphia, Ohio
Willamette High School- Eugene, Ore.
Wilton-Lyndenborough High School- Wilton, N.H.
Woodland High School- Cartersville, Ga.

The grant each school will receive includes training and racing shoes, racing uniforms and warm-ups for a 30-person team and $2,000 to help with expenses including pay-to-play fees, meet entries, transportation costs, etc. Through its Booster Club, Brooks has invested more than $700,000 in cash and product, providing for upwards of 1,500 young runners since the program’s 2015 inception.

The Brooks Booster Club is one of several programs Brooks designed to support runners from the ground up. Others include its Inspiring Coaches program which recognizes and honors those who dedicate remarkable time, energy and resources to keeping their running teams strong; investment into and sponsorship of various elite and school-based teams and races; the Run B’Cause give-back program, which empowers Brooks employees to donate product and their own time to causes across the country; and numerous cash and in-kind donations.