H-E-B Commits $125,000 to Marathon Kids for 2020/21 School Year
By MK Editor, May 23, 2021
| PRESS RELEASE
With H-E-B’s generous support, Marathon Kids now offers free physical activity programming for all Texas students.
(AUSTIN) — H-E-B has committed $125,000 to Marathon Kids as part of its Texans Helping Texans community outreach initiative. Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization on a mission to get kids moving and set them on a path toward a lifetime of good health. Thanks to this generous support from H-E-B, the organization’s programming is now available to all schools and community organizations in Texas free of charge.
Founded in Austin in 1995, Marathon Kids has transformed the lives of more than 2.5 million children to date. Its fun and rewarding walking and running programming is utilized to inspire students to set big goals and work towards them, one day at a time.
In an ongoing effort to reach as many children as possible, regardless of background or ability, Marathon Kids sought to remove the cost barrier by replacing its fee-based registration structure with free programming that includes access to activity-tracking technology and a cloud-based reporting platform. Partnerships like H-E-B’s have been essential to making this shift possible.
H-E-B has partnered with Marathon Kids since 2011, demonstrating their commitment to empowering kids to make healthy choices. Marathon Kids CEO, Cami Hawkins, says H-E-B’s culture is about showing up when their community needs it most. “H-E-B has been a consistently generous funding partner, supporting thousands of kids every year. Traditionally focused in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston, this year, we are excited to extend this funding into all of the H-E-B communities across the state,” Hawkins says. “Now more than ever, kids need access to fun easy physical activity, and with this generous investment from H-E-B, Marathon Kids will be able to reach more kids than ever before”.
Kristina Jewasko, Corporate Giving Manager with H-E-B, points to the company’s Spirit of Giving as a guiding philosophy. “H-E-B is proud to support Marathon Kids in its mission to introduce children to the joy of running,” Jewasko says. “We are honored to help Texas schoolchildren, who truly are the future of this great state, build strong foundations for healthy lifestyles.” In becoming the Official Grocer of Marathon Kids, H-E-B is living up to its charge of Texans Helping Texans.
About Marathon Kids
Marathon Kids shows kids through running that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. Kids in the program work at their own pace to run or walk the equivalent mileage of four marathons (or more!). They run one lap at a time, one day at a time, and before they know it they’ve gone farther than they ever dreamed. Kids enrolled in the program have a network of dedicated adults showing them how it’s done, and most importantly, a motivated and inspiring coach supporting them every step of the way.
About H-E-B
H-E-B, with sales of $28 billion, operates more than 400 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 115th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and lowest prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 120,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit HEB.com and HEB.com/Newsroom.