The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon will add Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity to its list of nonprofit partners for the next three years. The organization joins the Greater Green Bay YMCA Full Circle Program and the Special Olympics Wisconsin Unified Sports Program as the recipients of funds raised by the 19th annual Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, which will take place May 19-20, 2018.
The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Funds from the marathon will support the Homeownership Program, which helps low to moderate income individuals or families in Brown County to pursue homeownership. The need for decent and affordable housing is widespread in Brown County. According to the 2016 Life Study, housing/shelter was the second most prevalent need identified by Brown County 2-1-1 callers (17% of calls). Housing instability including frequent moves, overcrowding, and the threat of eviction, compromises health and well-being. Habitat programs help to stop this stressful cycle and make a positive change for families in the community.
“When an individual or family qualifies for and is able to purchase a home through our Homeownership Program they are placed on a path of new opportunity, increased confidence and self-reliance. A person’s partnership with Habitat means they have a stable place to live. An affordable mortgage means they have a chance to create savings and invest in education,” said Cora Haltaufderheid, executive director of Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. “Partnering with the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon ultimately helps us to break the cycle of poverty and empower families improve their lives.”
To date, Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 471 individuals, including 306 children, to provide a permanent and affordable housing solution through their Homeownership Program.
The charity partners for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon operate on three-year terms, with one new charity added each year and one exiting charity each year. The selected non-profit organizations become a strong member of the operational team, comprised primarily of volunteers, to put on this event.
“We are excited to have Habitat for Humanity on board for the next three years. Their mission to provide affordable housing is a catalyst for positive change in our community, embodying the marathon’s goal to create a lasting impact,” said Brighid Riordan, board president of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. “We are proud to offer our support to Habitat’s Homeownership Program as it works to improve education, employment and health for families in Brown County.”
The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon aims to support a community need when selecting a charity partner and chooses a charity partner that can effectively utilize the marathon’s platform. In 2017, the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon donated $133,000 to its three charity partners. Over the past 18 years, the non-profit event has generated over $1.3 million in proceeds for local non-profits.
To pledge to run for Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity or another charity partner, runners can sign-up for the Run for a Reason program, which allows participants to raise funds for the marathon’s partners in exchange for a free entry into the marathon or half marathon. Participants must raise $300 to receive their free entry and all funds go directly to the charities. For more information on the program and to register click the registration button.