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CONTACT: James Harder 617-541-1218 jharder@goodwillmass.org

Goodwills Running for Great Kids Team in High Spirits for the Boston Marathon
Seventeen runners set to raise funds for Goodwills youth programs BOSTON (April 2, 2012) The Boston Marathon, which will be held on April 16th, brings together thousands of enthusiastic individuals who run for various causes. One such group of individuals is Goodwills Running for Great Kids marathon team. The 2012 Running for Great Kids team is comprised of 17 runners who are putting their hearts and souls into raising funds for the youth programs at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. The team aspires to raise $70,000. I have raised $3,825 so far, noted Paul Sullivan, a Running for Great Kids team member from Morristown, New Jersey. I chose to run for Goodwill because of its contribution to the society. I particularly admire the fact that Goodwill is not just a charity, but an opportunity for less privileged individuals to grow. Another team member, Victoria Arel, from Gonic, New Hampshire, commented, I chose to run for Goodwill because I love the programs it offers. I was very impressed by what Goodwill does for the community. It is more than just a store that sells used clothes. Goodwill has been serving greater Boston for more than 100 years. The youth programs include: a mentoring program that helps teens build career plans and complete high school; an after-school academy for girls, which provides academic support, leadership development and civic engagement for girls between the ages of eight and 17; and summer opportunities, including camp. The BNY Mellon After-School Academy has taught me the importance of life and education, said Cleopatra, a high school senior who has been with the program for the past eight years. The Academy constantly encourages me to reach great heights. If I wasnt attending the Academy, I would be at a boring job and not getting any life-experience. In the past five years, Goodwills Boston Marathon teams have raised more than $300,000 for the Roxbury-based organization. The funds collected help improve the quality of youth

programs significantly. Rachel, who has been a part of BNY Mellon Academy for the past two years, remarked, Thank you runners for choosing to run for us. Well make you proud. For further information about the Running for Great Kids marathon team and details regarding donations, visit www.goodwillmass.org. About Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries Founded in 1895, Goodwill provides job training programs and partners with the business community to provide meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to self-sufficiency. Goodwill operates Boston Career Link, a one-stop career center, which offers universal access to a broad range of services for job seekers and employers seeking good job candidates. Goodwill offers youth programs that foster academic achievement and career preparation. The Goodwill Stores in eastern and central Massachusetts provide jobs and on-the-job training opportunities. They offer quality, low-cost goods to individuals and families looking for value and support the programs and services fulfilling Goodwills mission. www.goodwillmass.org ###