Grand Rapids Marathon

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2008 Charities

The Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon strives to create a lasting and positive impact on the local community. We believe in giving back to the community that has allowed us the opportunity to host this great event. Our focus on giving back is accomplished in three ways:

 

Official Charity Partners:

Each year the marathon staff selects a handful of local nonprofit organizations to participate as official charity partners. These charities take an active role in the planning process of our charitable giving program and use their knowledge and resources to encourage runners with their individual fundraising efforts. If your organization is interested in participating as an official charity partner please email Matt Chapman, our charity partners coordinator.

 

Charity Runners:

For some reason a lot of runners are interested in raising money for charity. Maybe it's because people enjoy the challenge of setting a goal and accomplishing it. Maybe it's because people like helping others. But more than likely it's because runners are just great people who want to give back to their communities. Last year charity runners from the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon raised over $55,000 for nonprofit organizations and foundations on the local, state, and regional levels.

 

SIGN UP:

If you are interested in raising money for an organization other than one listed below, Click Here to go to our Charity Runner Sign Up Page

 

Charity Village:

NEW FOR 2008!

This year all of our charities and charity runners are welcome to join us on race day at the charity village VIP area. Charity village will serve as a 'home base' for all charity runners and provide an area for inspiration and celebration of your accomplishment. Bring friends, bring family, bring food, and bring smiles. This is an area to celebrate your accomplishment and put your charity in the spotlight.

 

The Grand Rapids Marathon supports local charities with a strong community presence. Below is a list of organizations we are currently supporting. Please visit this site often, as we will be adding more organizations shortly:

 

	Alternatives in Motion The mission of Alternatives in Motion is to provide wheelchairs to people who need them but cannot afford them, and who don't qualify for any other financial assistance. We are a nonprofit 501(C) (3) organization based in Grand Rapids, MI
	Girls On The Run Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Our curricula address all aspects of girls' development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.
	Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Helen DeVos Children's Hospital was created to fill a critical gap in West Michigan health care - the need for a hospital devoted solely and specifically to children. More than a decade later, we have become a tertiary referral center and an established leader dedicated to improving the health and lives of children and families. Behavioral Pediatrics Blood and Bone Marrow
	Hospice of Michigan Hospice of Michigan is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of those who are living with a life-threatening illness and to providing grief support for their families. By providing medical, emotional and spiritual care to terminally ill men, women, and children, Hospice of Michigan assists patients in achieving an optimal level of comfort, dignity, and independence.
	Metro Health Hospital Foundation The Metro Health Hospital Foundation relies greatly on philanthropic support and provides opportunities for individual donors to make a difference. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, funding is available to prevent catastrophic illnesses, provide life-saving education and improve the health and well-being of our community.
	Operation Pillow Talk Our project "Operation Pillow Talk" is a project designed to decorate pillows for all our men and women deployed overseas. When the troops deploy they are not issued a pillow because it is considered a nonessential item, so you can imagine sleeping without a pillow at night. This is a great project for all ages and no talent is required to sign a name, write a message or draw a picture on the pillow.
	YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids The mission of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

 

Metro Health Hospital Foundation
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Salvation Army
Alternatives in Motion
Run to Remember