April 20 – Charlotte, N.C.
On Saturday, April 20, hundreds of athletes, volunteers, and spectators will gather at Jetton Park in Cornelius to kick off Kicks for Kids in Charlotte’s first 5k run to benefit Brookstone School in Charlotte.
Kicks for Kids is an unincorporated nonprofit association started by Emily Wakeman and Ansley Rikard, both of whom attend Southlake Christian Academy in Huntersville. The mission of Kicks for Kids is to promote health and fitness by supplying underprivileged youth with athletic shoes. Ansley and Emily have a passion for youth and helping others in the community. They both have been involved in sports and lead active lifestyles and they would like to promote that to other youth in the community. The proceeds from the 5k race will be used to purchase athletic shoes for the students at Brookstone School, a nonprofit K-6 school in west Charlotte. Brookstone School, which was founded in 2001, serves low-income children and families, drawing its population from the surrounding area and other economically challenged neighborhoods around the city. The school empowers underprivileged children for future success by providing superior academics and emphasizing attributes such as character, responsibility, service, self-reliance, and faith. Its current enrollment is over 100.
The 5k event is expected to attract up to 300 participants and hundreds of spectators. There will be music, food, and beverages. There will be awards for participants as well as door prizes. Jetton Park, where the race will start and finish, is a beautiful county park with access to Lake Norman. Emily says the event will appeal to families, avid racers, and people of all ages who want to support the cause. “Ansley and I created this charity and event because we are both young athletes and know how valuable health and fitness is for the youth and the community,” she says. “This race builds community spirit and promotes health and fitness. I have been especially proud of how the people in the area have united together for the greater good of the community and supporting a local charity.” For the inaugural year of Kicks for Kids, Lake Norman Infiniti is the title sponsor.
To register for the event, visit http://www.queencitytiming.com and click on Events Calendar. To donate to the cause, volunteer, or become a sponsor for Kicks for Kids, visit http://www.kicksforkidsincharlotte.com, or for questions, send email to info@kicksforkidsincharlotte@gmail.com. You can also make a donation at queencitytiming.com.
