Striders run-a-thon to support area youth

Capital City Striders (CCS) will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 7 at the University of Charleston Stadium to raise money to compete in the AAU Junior Olympic games.

CCS has 128 registered members. Many of these children come from socially and economically disadvantaged families. The organization raises funds to sponsor their membership, entry fees, transportation, lodging, and meals so they can compete.

“The great thing about Striders is it’s like a family,” said CCS Parent Tondrea Davis-Powell of Dunbar. “I know none of my children will be deprived of the opportunity to run because I can’t afford to pay.”

It costs $20 per child to enter the AAU Junior Olympic Region 1V Track and Field Meet in Canton, Ohio on July 13 to 15. Transportation will be more than $2,000.

“It’s going to cost about $40 for each of our members to compete in just one meet, and that doesn’t even include the lodging,” said CCS President Paul Gilmer of Charleston. “It’s like asking our parents to choose between $40 in food and gas, or $40 per child in fees.”

CCS will accept walk-up donations throughout the day on July 7. Or they can be mailed to: Capital City Striders, P.O. Box 1243, Charleston, WV 25326.

Capital City Striders, Inc is a 501c (3) non-profit organization founded in 1982 to provide youth with positive role models and quality instruction while teaching self-discipline, self-esteem, fitness, and mental preparation.

For more information, contact Gilmer at 389-1982 or at pgilmer@aol.com.