CVS Health caps off 25th anniversary celebration of CVS Health Downtown 5k with awards dinner
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Funds raised by this year’s CVS Health Downtown 5k — the 25th anniversary of the road race — were awarded Thursday to area schools and nonprofit organizations at a special dinner held at the corporate headquarters of CVS Health.
As title sponsor of the race, CVS Health presented nearly $80,000 in grants to more than 40 youth-focused nonprofit organizations and schools from Southern New England, bringing the total funds raised since the race’s 1990 inception to $1.5 million. This year marked an important milestone in the race’s history, as it was both the 25th anniversary of the race and the first charitable event sponsored by the company since the announcement of its corporate name change to CVS Health on Sept. 3.
More than 150 people gathered for the special celebration, including track and field coaches, student runners, and leaders from area nonprofit organizations. Emily Sisson and Sarah Collins, Providence College Women’s Cross Country team members, who hold the NCAA Division 1 Championship title, were present to inspire the group and speak to attendees. In addition, the Downtown 5k Dashers, a group of individuals who have run in every CVS Health Downtown 5k for all 25 years of the race, were a part of the celebration.
Most of the schools and organizations that received grants at the awards dinner provided volunteers for the 2014 CVS Health Downtown 5k. Others receiving grants were recognized for their athleticism.
“We’re pleased to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CVS Health Downtown 5k,” said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy for CVS Health. “For the past 25 years, the CVS Health Downtown 5k has inspired the community to stay healthy and active. Tonight’s gathering allows us the opportunity to connect with our charitable partners and the athletes and coaches from area schools as well as celebrate the race’s legacy and keep the tradition of athleticism alive by providing much-needed funding to support school and community athletic programs.”
For the sixth year, Tufts Health Plan joined the CVS Health Downtown 5k as sponsor of the 3k High School Inspirational.
Tufts Health Plan director of large and small group sales, Dean Bushey, said, “It’s been an incredible honor to sponsor the High School Inspirational 3k for the past six years. Like CVS Health, our company is committed to helping people live a healthy lifestyle. The combined costume contest and race is a unique way to remind local high school students that being active can also be fun. We’re always so proud to see these students rise to the occasion with their creative costumes and dedication to the race.”
Representatives from the schools, track clubs and nonprofit groups that provided volunteers for the race were honored by the CVS Health Downtown 5k and presented with grants at the gathering. The groups that received grants include: American Red Cross Rhode Island, Attleboro YMCA, A Wish Come True, Inc., Camp Ruggles, Chariho High School, Cumberland High School, East Greenwich High School, EWG Sports4Kids, Knights of Columbus, La Salle Girls Basketball team, Lincoln High School, Rhode Island Track Coaches Association, North Kingstown Track Team, North Kingstown Boys Cross Country Team, Sentinel Striders Track Club, The Autism Project, Toll Gate High School, Tolman High School, Rhode Island Interscholastic League, Sean Duarte Race Scholarship, Partnership for Providence Parks and Project Undercover.
To further promote health care and to emphasize the importance of physical activity for children, CVS Health Downtown 5k also awarded $500 grants to 10 schools that won random drawings. Elementary, middle and high school teams with 25 or more children who participated in the 2014 CVS Health Youth Races or High School Inspirational 3k qualified for the drawings, which were earmarked to assist physical education programs. The winners of these grants are: Cole Middle School, Highlander Charter School, International Charter School, Lincoln Central Elementary School, Mount Saint Charles High School, North Smithfield High School, The Prout School, Saint Margaret School, Smithfield High School and The Learning Community.
The awards dinner also included the announcement by Tufts Health Plan of the High School Inspirational 3k grant winners. To be eligible for these grants, any high school with 25 or more youths participating in the 3k could be entered to win one of 10 $500 grants. The winners of these grants are: Barrington High School, Burrillville High School, Chariho High School, Cranston West High School Boys Track Team, Cumberland High School, East Greenwich High School, North Kingstown High School, Toll Gate High School, Tolman High School and Woonsocket High School.