Bank of America Launches Local Youth Fitness Initiative Through Two Premier Running Events

$324,000 Contribution to Benefit Four Local Charities, the Latest in Bank of America's Support of After-School Programming

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Bank of America

Mar 18, 2010, 04:00 ET

CHICAGO, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced it will match funds generated through its world-renowned Chicago-based running events – Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and Bank of America Chicago Marathon – to launch a local youth fitness initiative in its continued support of after-school programs. In an event held today at Navy Pier, David Sontag, regional managing director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Management, announced a total donation of $324,000 will be split among four local organizations: ChicagoRun, Girls on the Run, MGR Foundation and Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago.

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"Bank of America continues to honor our long-standing commitment to Chicago after-school programs to directly assist in the cognitive and physical development of our youth," said Sontag. "Through the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K and Bank of America Chicago Marathon, we have the unique opportunity to drive the mission of youth fitness which is the focus of this new, exciting initiative."

With 36,000 participants in the 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and 45,000 registering for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a two-dollar donation from each registration fee will generate $160,000 through these events for the new program. Bank of America will match those funds dollar-for-dollar and has selected four local nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing youth fitness. Collectively, the funds will allow these four organizations to extend their services including coaching, equipment, events and competitions to more than 2,700 children who otherwise would not have had access.

MGR Foundation and Girls on the Run will each receive $72,000 as beneficiaries of Sunday's Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago and ChicagoRun will each receive $90,000 as beneficiaries of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to be held on Sunday, October 10.

Beyond the initial donation, Bank of America has pledged ongoing support by the way of leadership and volunteerism to the organizations throughout the year.

"Today marks the beginning of a partnership in which our local associates – from executive offices to the banking centers – will enlist their services as volunteers, mentors, committee and board members with local youth fitness-oriented organizations," continued Sontag.

"Bank of America has been a strong corporate partner of ChicagoRun since our inception in 2007," said Alicia Gonzalez, ChicagoRun's executive director. "Today's announcement takes their involvement to the next level and will be the driving force behind our expansion into new schools this year. We are thankful for their early recognition of the value of our program and the continued commitment to support our cause with resources and leadership."

"Girls on the Run is not just about the running – it is about learning more about yourself, and learning that you have no limits," said 13-year-old Grace Vargas, a student at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy in Chicago. "My time in Girls on The Run will continue to have an impact on me for the rest of my life because it made me a stronger and more adventurous person."

Among the other organizations benefitting from Bank of America's ongoing support of after-school programs are After School Matters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, By the Hand Club for Kids, Chicago Training Center, Chicago Youth Centers, Girls in the Game, Kids Off the Block, 826CHI, Inc., and Working in the Schools.

For further information about the participating youth running groups, please visit:

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 59 million consumer and small business relationships with 6,000 retail banking offices, more than 18,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to more than 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients in more than 150 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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SOURCE Bank of America