Noah’s Gift grantors have a question for teenagers throughout the Mid-South: what’s your dream?
Noah’s Gift, an endowment fund inspired by the life and times of 16-year-old Noah Costa, makes extraordinary experiences possible for young people ages 13-19.
“Our purpose is simple,” says NG5K Co-Chair Lisa Beene. “Noah was an adventurer who loved life. He got into plenty of scrapes, but he brought joy and laughter to so many hearts, and loved to help others. That’s the intention of these grants – to give other kids those same opportunities, and to honor his life.”
Grant applications for 2012 are available through Oct. 5 at The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, where the Noah’s Gift Endowment is housed.
The Noah’s Gift Memorial 5K Run-Walk-Skate, which will start at 8:55 a.m. on Oct. 13 in Hernando, is the major source of public funding for the Noah’s Gift Endowment. Additionally, The Community Foundation will add a 25 percent match to all net proceeds of the 5K event.
The Fund’s first teenage grant recipient will be announced at the Post-Race Party on the Maddox Foundation lawn.
Beene says this is just one aspect in which teens are involved in the race, as many teens serve in volunteer capacities ranging from pre-race publicity and package pickup events to registering and participating in the race as a way to earn service hours.
“Kids get to be involved with every stage of this race, from start to finish,” Beene says. “It’s a very ‘teen-centric’ event.”
Race participants will receive a goody bag that includes a long-sleeved dri-fit, moisture-wicking performance T-shirt sponsored by Belhaven University, a statement wristband sponsored by Farm Bureau/Farm Bureau agent Mike McLendon, and a voucher to the RiverKings Hockey Home Opener.
For race participants’ convenience, goody bags can be picked up prior to the race on specific days at Buon Cibo restaurant, Fillin Station Grille or the Bank Plus Sunset Lawn Pickup at Maddox Foundation (call Community Foundation for details).
To apply for a grant, volunteer or register for the race, contact The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi at 662.449.5002 or assistant@cfnm.org or check out
noahsgift5k.weebly.com or
www.racesonline.com.
