The 4th Annual Sequoia Wellness Miles for Meals 5k Run was held this past weekend benefitting The Ben Curtis Family Foundation.
On Saturday, September 16th The Ben Curtis Family Foundation, the well-known, Portage County based devotion of Ben Curtis, 2003 British Open Champion was named the new beneficiary of net proceeds from the race.
The main goal of The Ben Curtis Family Foundation is to help alleviate childhood hunger. Numerous studies have shown that when children go to school on a full stomach, they are better able to focus on what they are learning. Based on this knowledge, the Foundation developed the Birdie Bags concept, which contains nine meals and six snacks. The bags are designed to go home with students on each of the 10 long weekends throughout the year. The Foundation relies on as many local resources as possible to obtain the food necessary to fill the bags. The program started with one elementary school and has now grown to include nearly 920 children in six Portage County schools. “Miles for Meals” is a combo race for running and fitness enthusiasts held on the beautiful campus of Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown, Ohio in the heart of Portage County. Race participants include Sequoia Wellness members, NEOMED faculty, staff and students, as well as Bio-Med and Rootstown students and families in addition to many community and area residents.
Sequoia Wellness and The NEW Center plan to continue working with The Ben Curtis Family Foundation throughout the year, starting with the United Way of Portage County Campaign Kickoff on October 3rd.
