Running Clubs
Run for fun. Run to learn.
Run for shoes!
Russell, Parkade and Blue Ridge elementary schools in Columbia, Missouri are off and running thanks to the Anderson Family Charitable Foundation.
The three schools are promoting physical fitness through running clubs. Russell Elementary Principal Amy Watkins said, “It’s important to remember we’re raising kids, not just on the academic side, but whole people.”
The clubs at Russell and Parkade were start-ups while the AFCF donation to Blue Ridge helped support a club in its fifth year.
As a special incentive, students who met a certain mileage goal earned new shoes courtesy of Brooks Running Shoes and UltraMax Sports of Columbia. In total nearly 100 kids laced up new sneakers.
“As an ex-track athlete I know how important running was to me and my school day", says John Anderson. ”I loved running and I’m sure that’s a big reason I also loved school.” he added.
A former captain of the University of Missouri track team, Anderson looked to his old squad to find help for the new clubs. Tiger triple jumper Jeremy Lampley served as a mentor and roll model for the kids at Parkade and Blue Ridge. Dedicating, not only, his mornings to the students but also arranging field trips to Mizzou’s athletic facilities. Lampley, who recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was instrumental to the success of the running clubs.
Students ended their year with a big race in either the Mizzou Mile or the Blue Ridge 5K run.
Blue Ridge prepares to start the 5K.
Parkade Running Club visits Mizzou Arena.
“A hungry stomach cannot hear.” ~ Jean de La Fontaine
Back to Back Backpacks
The Anderson Family Charitable Foundation is proud to continue its support of the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri for a third straight year. A $20,000 donation made Friday at Parkade Elementary school will assist the Buddy Pack program, which sends nutritional food home with more than 6,700 students every weekend.
Take the Money and Run
The AFCF presented a second $20,000 check to help further fund and expand the running clubs at Parkade, Russell and Blue Ridge elementary schools. In their first year, the clubs benefitted more than 200 young runners. A portion of the money will also go to the continued development of S.T.E.M. classrooms (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at Benton Elementary. To view the check presentation, click on the following link:
http://cpstv.columbia.k12.mo.us/?p=287.
(Thanks to Todd Hildahl, CPS-TV/Video Service for providing the video.)
Books, Books, Books for Everyone!
A $15,000 gift to the Green Bay Area Public Schools helped fund book fairs in all 14 of the district's Title 1 elementary schools for the 2011-2012 school year.
Students in all grades (K-6) were able to get one free book at the fair with the help of the AFCF.
The project put books in the hands of an amazing 5,000 young readers. Purchase bonuses also allowed teachers to get extra books for their classrooms.
Green Bay Food Program Gets
Donation from Foundation
A $10,000 donation from the Anderson Family Charitable Foundation (AFCF) will once again help feed kids throughout the coming school year at Jefferson Elementary School in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Jefferson/Ben’s Wish Food Program allows underserved students to fill their backpacks with food every Friday and over holiday breaks.
“It’s has to be awfully hard to listen to a teacher over a grumbling stomach, said AFCF trustee Tamara Anderson, “eating is vitally important to learning.”
The Food Program at Jefferson is the first of its kind in the Green Bay Area Public Schools and began with a gift from the AFCF in January 2012.
“We have many families at Jefferson who get the majority of their food from pantries, said school Principal Allison Granquist, “and the kids were so excited to have fruit and healthy food items of their own to eat on weekends.”
Ben’s Wish is a charity in memory of Ben Delain and dedicated to feeding those in need. Ben died in an ATV accident at age eleven and is especially remembered for a special act of kindness – giving an apple to a homeless man.
Donation check was presented to Peter and Becky Delain of Ben's Wish by Karen Collins on behalf of AFCF.
The Anderson Family Charitable Foundation has provided more than $225,000 to help underserved children in the public schools. We thank you for your support!
We proudly support the Buddy Pack Program of The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
The AFCF supports the McKinney-Vento Homeless Program which provides free school supplies to students in the Green Bay Area Public School system.
Our Mission
The Anderson Family Charitable Foundation (AFCF) was formed in 2009 by John and Tamara Anderson with the purpose of providing assistance to underserved elementary school-aged children in the public school system and their families. It is our belief that a quality public school education can be the catalyst to a bright and prosperous future for ALL children. The AFCF strives to provide assistance where needed to ensure that all children are comfortable at school and have the tools to thrive in that environment.
Contact Us
Email Us
afcf@att.net
304 W. Main Street, #140, Avon, CT 06001