HOLIDAY GREETING & THE YEAR IN REVIEW
To our wonderful advisors, board, and partners we would like to extend a most gracious THANK YOU for all you have done for us in 2008! Without your help we would not have reached the many milestones that continue to move our vital mission forward.
In February we unveiled and dedicated our prototype primary track and athletic field to Ivey Ranch Elementary School. Our goal is to see that 1/8-mile tracks are built at all elementary schools nationwide. The excitement from all aspects of the community has been phenomenal. In conjunction with the physical education teacher, grade level teachers, and parent volunteers, We Rock 4 Kids is bringing fitness to the forefront in our kids daily lives. Our before-school Rock & Run Club has over 40% of the student body voluntarily participating in running laps for 20 minutes prior to their classes starting! This, in combination with the time spent on physical education by our teachers and volunteers, is beyond motivating for our children. School-wide participation in the Governor’s and President’s Challenges will take place in the spring and special certificates from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports will be handed out to those who partake in the Rock & Run Club. It is our hope that such incentives and friendly competition between classes will help us continue to grow our programs in the coming years.
Early in 2008 Wendy and I began taking classes at UCSD Extension in Business and Fundraising. To date we have completed courses in Grant Writing for Professionals, Communications for the Development Professional, Pursuing Major Gifts, Leading for Corporate Social Responsibility, and the Elements of Marketing. Our next courses in January will be Cause & Partnership Marketing and Oral Presentation/Communication. Every class has been wonderful and we have been befriended by many of our instructors. They are exceptional individuals who give us additional time and valuable advice for our real life organization. Now all we need is that “time and money” to put it all into practice!
In 2009 we are planning two major events to help raise awareness of childhood obesity and how it can be prevented. These events will also bring necessary funding for our programs. What we hope becomes our “signature event” will be held in late September in partnership with our local Mottino Family YMCA. This walk/run-a-thon will take place on our prototype track during Activate America Week, (this is free to the public), and will be held in a carnival style atmosphere. Our second event in November will be a larger version of what we had in November 2008…a Holiday Gift Faire. This brings a number of vendors together to offer a multitude of gift purchasing opportunities without having to brave the malls the day after Thanksgiving! We plan to work with the SD Union Tribune to promote both events through their new Cause Advertising campaign that supports local nonprofits.