St. Charles, Les Schwab parter with Kids in the Game
St. Charles Health Systems has helped over 3,500 kids in Central Oregon gain access to sports programs by providing the means for transportation.
Their donation to nonprofit organization KIDS in the GAME provides an Activity Bus for children at High Desert Middle School and other youth with athletic-related transportation needs. Transportation remains a primary barrier for many young athletes, hindering them from attending sports practices and games. The funding provided by St. Charles will remove this barrier, enabling hundreds of disadvantaged youth in Deschutes County to participate in sports.
The funds from this generous contribution are being dispersed through several channels. Primarily, the money has funded an Activity Bus from High Desert Middle School, providing student athletes transportation to their homes following practices and games. During the 2012-2013 school year, over 3,270 rides were given to students participating in wrestling, track, cross country, and volleyball. Additionally, bus transportation was provided this summer to approximately 30 children in Bend, allowing them to attend a three-day football camp held at Summit High School. KIDS in the GAME will continue funding sports related transportation needs on behalf of St. Charles into the upcoming school year.
“The mission of KIDS in the GAME aligns very well with our vision, “Creating America’s healthiest community, together.” We are proud to support the wonderful work they are doing in our community to help improve the health of our local students through engagement in sports and activities,” stated Brenda Finkle, Director of System Communications and Marketing at St. Charles.
“KIDS in the GAME is excited to be working with St. Charles to get more kids playing sports. Together, St. Charles and KIDS in the GAME make a great team focused on improving the health of our community,” stated Natalie Hummel, Executive Director.
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras and Redmond, and leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 3,000. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
Press Contact: Brenda Finkle, 541-382-4321, bfinkle@stcharlesheathcare.org
About KIDS in the GAME
KIDS in the GAME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that inspires kids to thrive in life through sports by providing the resources that get and keep kids in the game. Youth sports participation is essential to human development and an invaluable experience to prepare young people for their lives ahead. Their goal is to empower underserved youth to live up to their full potential through positive sports experiences that form active, healthy habits for a lifetime. KIDS in the GAME provides financial resources to help youth low income youth gain access to sports programs. To learn more visit www.kidsinthegame.org.
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Les Schwab Partners with KIDS in the GAME to Raise Funds to Help Youth Play Sports in Central Oregon
Bend, Oregon – Les Schwab Tire Centers of Central Oregon has partnered with nonprofit organization KIDS in the GAME to raise money to support low-income youth playing sports. Together, they will be raffling off a 24-foot cargo trailer, donated to KIDS in the GAME by Les Schwab. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to help fund youth sports registration fees within six Central Oregon towns.
In Central Oregon, there are hundreds of kids that are missing out on the experience of playing sports due to financial constraints. KIDS in the GAME aims to remove that financial barrier by funding registration fees for qualifying children. Working with national participating Youth Sports Organizations, KIDS in the GAME has helped fund over 72,000 hours of physical activity for participating kids. Together with Les Schwab, KIDS in the GAME will place funds raised from the raffle ticket sales here locally with Central Oregon’s low-income families to register for sports.
Tickets for the raffle are being be sold at each of the Les Schwab Tire Center locations in Central Oregon: Madras, Redmond, Prineville, LaPine, Sisters, Bend Franklin Ave., Bend Cooley Rd., and Bend South. Sales will conclude on August 28th, immediately followed by the drawing held at the Bend Franklin Ave. store location at 10:00 AM on August 29th, 2013. Tickets can be purchased for $5.00 each or five tickets for $20.00.
“KIDS in the GAME is excited to be working with Les Schwab to get more kids in the game. Les Schwab is committed to taking care of customers and the community, and that includes helping local kids stay active,” stated Natalie Hummel, Executive Director of KIDS in the GAME.
