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E-mailHost of CMT INSIDER, Katie Cook, to Join Event as Emcee; Ellie’s Run for Africa volunteers to travel to Kenya to complete school’s construction
Started in 2004 with the dream of Nashville teen Ellie Ambrose, Ellie’s Run for Africa celebrates its 5th anniversary this year as a 5K race and family fun day that has raised more than $155,000 for educational and relief efforts targeted at children in Africa.
“It’s so easy for a kid like me in America to get simple things like shoes or clothes for school - but it’s so hard for those kids,” says Ambrose.
“Over the past five years, I have learned that it doesn’t take much to make a huge impact in the life of a kid in Africa. In Kibera, just $25 helps one of these kids go to school for a year. That’s something that most of us can afford to do,” continues Ambrose.
This year’s event aims to raise $100,000, draw over 1,000 attendees, and will be emceed by host of CMT INSIDER Katie Cook. Details are as follows:
Date: June 13, 2009
Time: 6:30 a.m. - Registration
7:30 a.m. - 5K Race
8:30 a.m. - Kid’s Run
6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Entertainment, games and refreshments
Location: Percy Warner Park, Cross Country Field
Corner of Hwy 100 and Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, Tenn.
To register/donate: Visit http://www.elliesrun.org
Says Cook: “I’m thrilled to be part of Ellie’s Run for Africa this year, and so proud that this Nashville teen is really taking her dream to heart by rallying our community for these kids in Africa.”
Volunteer Team to Help Complete School Construction
In July, a team of 15 Ellie’s Run for Africa volunteers will travel with Ellie to Kenya to put the finishing touches on the Emmanuel Vocational School, which is being built in part due to funds raised through Ellie’s Run for Africa. The team will also visit Calvary Christian School, also located in Kibera, which has received funding from Ellie’s Run for Africa for the last several years.
“After joining Ellie in her dream to host Ellie’s Run for Africa for several years, it’s truly a blessing to have the opportunity to visit the vocational school, to thank the people who work so hard at giving these kids an education and to hug the children who are going to attend school there,” says Tiffany Lewis, event chair and Nashville entrepreneur.
All funds raised by Ellie’s Run for Africa are administered through Brentwood, Tenn.-based African Leadership (http://www.africanleadership.org).
“Calvary Christian School could not have operated without the help of Ellie’s Run for Africa,” says Bobby Maynard, director of operations for African Leadership.
“Without this help, most of the children could not afford to go to school. Today, 300 students are being educated at Calvary Christian. Due to the efforts of Ellie and the countless supporters in the United States, these kids have been given the uniforms, shoes and books they need, and a building in which to learn. None of this would have been possible without the help of Ellie’s Run for Africa,” says Maynard.
Ellie’s Run for Africa
Ellie’s Run for Africa is a 5K race and family fun day that raises money and inspires others to act for Africa. Sprung from the dream and prayers of one 10-year-old girl, Ellie’s Run for Africa brings together North American communities to Dream Big and Take Action for Africa about how they can strengthen the future of African children through education and healthcare.
To learn more about Ellie’s Run for Africa, visit http://www.elliesrun.org. To learn more about African Leadership, visit http://www.africanleadership.org.
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