Nonprofit organization has now donated more than $400,000 since 2008
Fishers, Indiana: The Geist Half Marathon announced today a total disbursement of $22,500 to local schools in the greater Geist area.
Congratulations to the following schools, foundations and local student-focused organizations that received a check from the Geist Half Marathon from 2018 race proceeds:
- Holy Cross Lutheran School – $1,000
- St. Simon the Apostle School – $1,000
- Mt. Vernon School Foundation – $1,000
- Youth Mentoring Initiative – $1,000
- Lawrence Township School Foundation – $5,500
- Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation – $13,000
The checks were handed out at the Geist Half Marathon Celebration Breakfast on Oct. 30 at the Indianapolis Yacht Club. Sponsors, school and foundation representatives and local officials joined Geist Half Marathon board members for the check presentations.
“We are able to provide these grants to local schools because of the support of the community that comes out each year for the Geist Half, be it as runners or volunteers,” says Geist Half Marathon President Mike Napariu. “I’m consistently amazed at the dollars raised each year and the investment we are able to make into these school systems and our youth.”
More than 20,000 children have participated in the Geist Half Marathon over the years, which accounts for nearly one-third of the entire race. More than 30 schools participated in this year’s half marathon, including newcomers Mt. Vernon and South Madison Schools.
“When we started the school program, we had about 1,000 kids participating,” says Aprill Shelburne, Executive Director of the Geist Half Marathon. “Today, we consistently have about 2,100 kids participating each year. The average age of these kids is under 10 years old. We know that running and mental well-being go hand in hand. We hope they maintain that passion for running all throughout high school and into their adult life.”
To date, the Geist Half Marathon has donated $399,267 to Geist area schools since 2008. Another $61,785 has been donated by way of offsetting costs to children in need or in the free and reduced lunch programs, bringing the financial total to $461,052.
“The Geist Half Marathon started because of residents who care about their community and wanted to show people how great it really is,” says Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “This has never been government taking the lead on this, we’ve always followed the residents’ lead. Since the beginning, I knew this was something that we needed to throw our support behind. The long-term sustainability of our city is dependent on residents taking initiative and creating wonderful traditions like the Geist Half Marathon.”
The Geist Half Marathon Inc. is an Indiana non-profit corporation organized to inspire health and wellness in the children in and around the Geist Reservoir community of Indianapolis, Indiana. Working closely with runners, walkers and sponsors, the Geist Half Marathon raises funds to benefit wellness and fitness programs implemented within local schools. To date, the Geist Half Marathon, Inc. has donated more than $400,000 to Geist area schools.
For more information, visit GeistHalf.com.
