Local runners of all levels and abilities are invited to the call out meetings for the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon - Opportunity Enterprises Team. The Porter County callout will be Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 from 6-7:30pm at Opportunity Enterprises, 2801 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, Ind. The Lake County callout will be Saturday, January 25th from 8-9:30am at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness, 221 U.S. 41, Schererville, Ind.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has made significant changes to race registration and this year, entry will be determined by a lottery. One of the exceptions to this is registering with a partner charity such as Opportunity Enterprises.
If runners commit to the OE Marathon team at one of the two call out meetings, they will receive a complimentary gift. In exchange for fundraising for the agency, team members will receive several benefits, including guaranteed race entry, a structured training program, a team shirt, weekly e-newsletters containing training tips and team updates, exclusive access to a race day hospitality tent with restroom facilities in Charity Village, a catered pasta dinner in Northwest Indiana the Friday before the race, and transportation to and from the marathon on October 12th, 2014.
“We’re extremely excited about the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Our team is working really hard to make sure that this year is the best one yet,” said David Stupay, Opportunity Enterprises’ CEO and President. “Runners are drawn to our training program and perks, including race-day transportation. They're also fundraising and racing for a worthy cause: supporting our participants.”
In 2013, over $200,000 was raised by the runners of the OE Marathon team. This year, the agency will be introducing an incentives-based fundraising program to encourage runners to raise money for their children’s program, All About Kids. All About Kids provides children ages birth to three with diagnosed disabilities or developmental delays with individualized therapy and play groups in order to maximize their development. More information about the AAK program can be found at http://www.oppent.org/programs/children/.
Runners who want to join the team but are unable to attend the callout meetings or those who would like to sponsor the OE Marathon team should contact Lindsay Ellis, Development Associate, at 219-464-9621 ext. 239 or lindsay.ellis@oppent.org. They can also visit www.oerunners.org for up-to-date information.
About Opportunity Enterprises
OE works to maximize self-sufficiency and enrich the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. OE serves over 1,100 adults and children with disabilities in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.oppent.org.