MarcUS for Change 5k Walk and Run Comes to Stamford

The third-annual MarcUS for Change 5K Walk & Run comes to Mill River Park on Sunday, Sept. 20, rain or shine, in Stamford’s downtown Mill River Park, according to a press release.

This event is a collaboration of two 501(c)3 foundations, the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF) and MarcUS for Change, with all proceeds supporting SPEF’s nationally recognized mentoring initiatives and other MarcUS for Change collaborative partnerships in support of at-risk youth, the release says.

Today SPEF and MarcUS for Change also announces that Governor Dannel P. Malloy and First Lady Cathy Malloy are the honorary co-chairs for this community event, the release says.

“Cathy and I are honored to be co-chairing this event to support SPEF and MarcUS for Change,” said Governor Malloy, “and their efforts to give Stamford students the assistance they need to be successful in their academic and professional endeavors. Organizations such as these thrive with community support, so it’s important to be involved.”

MarcUS for Change 5K celebrates the memory of Marcus Dixon McInerney, a young Stamford graduate, the release says. Marcus overcame many life challenges and attended West Point Academy, before his life ended tragically in 2012.

Marcus’ struggle is all too familiar in Connecticut, particularly in areas like Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and Hartford, where half of the youth in these Connecticut communities live at or below the poverty line, the release says.

SPEF empowers Stamford youth by providing mentoring programs that focus on literacy in elementary schools, as well as academic support and college/career readiness for middle and high school students, the release says.

MarcUS for Change supports education and youth mentoring programs through funding and awareness initiatives, targeting a broader range of cross-cultural and program initiatives for youth to overcome economic, social and educational barriers to success, the release says.

Working together, the foundations have raised over $120,000, the release says. Participants can register online here.

The pre-registration fee is $25; all participants receive a free dri-fit t-shirt commemorating the day, the release says. The Stamford School with the most affiliated participants will win the Spirit Award and receive $1,000 as well as an additional $200 that can be donated to their organization of choice.

US Day Celebration

This year the MarcUS for Change 5K Walk & Run will be the kick-off event for our newly created US Day, which offers youth and their families a wide variety of festivities such as a multicultural parade, inspirational speakers, and family-centered entertainment, the release says.

It includes a greater number of diverse organizations and businesses, all focused on helping youth achieve healthy personal, academic, social and career-ready skills for success, the release says. By establishing US Day, we’re able to incorporate a collection of learning and empowerment opportunities for Stamford’s youth and we anticipate over 1,000 event participants.

About SPEF

The Stamford Public Education Foundation’s mission is to support the students and teachers in Stamford’s Public Schools through community collaboration and philanthropy. At the elementary level, the foundation supports literacy initiatives and at the middle and high school levels our focus is on college and career readiness.

For further information or to make a donation call 203-965-7733 or visit www.spefct.org.

About MarcUS for Change

MarcUS for Change strives to improve the academic, social, and mental well-being of at-risk middle school children. We coordinate local and national opportunities for mentoring, academic support, extracurricular activities, and social development.

For further information visit www.marcusforchange.org.