01 Jun USATF Foundation Partners with GNC to Launch In-store and Online Fundraising Campaign to Support Team USA Elite Track & Field Athletes
PITTSBURGH, PA, June 1, 2016 – The USA Track & Field Foundation in partnership with GNC Holdings, Inc. is launching a month-long fundraising and awareness campaign at GNC stores and online at GNC.com. The USA Track & Field Foundation works to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, and distance training centers. The Foundation was launched in 2005 to assist dedicated Olympic hopefuls realize their dreams and potential.
In 2014 GNC raised over $144,000 in support of the USATF Foundation and are once again accepting donations at any GNC location or online at gnc.com. Fundraising kicks off on Wednesday, June 1st and remains active until Thursday, June 30th. As an incentive, GNC customers who make a donation to the USATF Foundation will receive a $5 off $25 discount on their next visit. In addition to customer donations, the GNC Live Well Foundation has volunteered to match donations up to $10,000. 100% of all donations collected go directly to USATF Foundation programs.
“As the leader in global performance solutions we are thrilled to again partner with the USATF Foundation to help send our world class American athletes to the Summer Games in Rio,” said GNC CEO Mike Archbold. “We encourage GNC customers everywhere to visit our stores and GNC.com and make a donation to help pave the way for these amazing track & field athletes to reach their ultimate goal of participating in the Olympics.”
The support for the USATF Foundation and its athletes-in-training couldn’t come at a better time with the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro quickly approaching. The U.S. Track & Field team is dependent on privately raised funds and the athletes representing Team USA are in great need of financial assistance. Over 20 athletes from the USATF Foundation current sponsorship roster are expected to qualify for the Games and will need funding for medical expenses, travel, and equipment. These elite athletes train tirelessly for the Games and many are doing so while living under poverty level.
Monies raised will help the USATF Foundation expand their Elite Athlete Development and Run With US! programs. The Run With Us! Program enables athletes who are training for the Olympics to realize their dreams while giving back to their communities — inspiring youth with their stories of dedication and strength.
Run With US! was launched in 2012 and uses American heroes — our track & field athletes — to inspire children to get fit, make healthy choices while learning to set and achieve their goals. As part of the program, track & field Olympians and Olympic hopefuls visit schools and community centers, where they teach kids track & field skills and talk about the importance of fitness, nutrition, and making positive choices.
Bob Greifeld, Chairman of the USA Track & Field Foundation stated, “The USA Track & Field Foundation is forever grateful to GNC for their support in 2014 and their continued efforts in this pivotal Olympic year. This is the boost our athletes need to be able to compete at the top level we all expect from America’s team.”