The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools

Seminole Gears Up for the Take Stock in Children 5K Race

Fundraising event to help at-risk youth/students get to college

 

Sanford, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2014 -- Many of us take going to college for granted. But hundreds of hard working middle and high school students in Seminole County never get that chance.

Sometimes it’s due to a difficult home environment; often it’s due to financial hardship. Sometimes the reasons are even more complex.

Take Stock In Children (TSIC) is a 17-year old non-profit organization that provides a unique opportunity for deserving at-risk youth/students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Since inception, TSIC has served over 22,000 children throughout 67 counties in Florida, generating over 1,000,000 mentor volunteer hours and providing scholarships enabling disadvantaged students to go to college.

College scholarships are purchased from the state by each county’s TSIC program and are awarded to qualifying students through an intensive selection process including a review of academic standing, essays, interviews, and financial need. Funds generated are matched dollar for dollar by the state of Florida’s Take Stock In Children program.

Right now, the Seminole County Public Schools’ Take Stock In Children program is mentoring over 80 students whose dream of going to college can be fulfilled by continued hard work and through the mentoring by dozens of volunteers from around the county.

The program, funded in large part by the state of Florida, is in need of additional funding to continue providing scholarships for the county’s needy students. As part of its fundraising efforts, TSIC-Seminole is sponsoring its first “Strides for Education” 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, January 25 at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs.

“With rising tuition costs and significant increases in other college related expenses, children throughout Florida are struggling more than ever to break the cycle of poverty and achieve the post-secondary education that is so critical to achieving their dreams,” said Davia Moss, Executive Director at The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. “This 5K Walk/Run is a great way for runners, walkers, volunteers and the community at large to support this important initiative.”

“Individuals, families and teams from companies, organizations, schools, churches and clubs are welcome,” said Marlene Mraz, TSIC Program Manager. “We’re expecting over 300 participants, and welcome additional sponsors. By spending your morning participating in the Strides for Education 5K, you will contribute to changing the course of a child’s life! With contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by the state of Florida, this is a great way to have an amazingly positive impact on students in our area.”

Early registration is $25 per person with all proceeds benefiting Take Stock in Children.

For more information about the TSIC Strides for Education 5K, visit http://bit.ly/tsic5k or visit http://www.facebook.com/takestockseminole.

About Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children is a statewide scholarship program that targets students with a financial need and a strong desire to succeed. Students are matched with a mentor who guides and encourages them throughout their high school years. Mentors meet regularly with their students on school campus. For details on becoming a mentor, call (407) 320-0188.

About The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools
The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that raises funds to enhance the superior performance of students and teachers in Seminole County Public Schools. Since inception in 1986, the Foundation has raised over $20 million from engaged citizens and businesses to impact the quality of education in the District -- putting school supplies in classrooms, funding grants for great ideas, and providing student mentoring and scholarships. For more information about the Foundation or the Take Stock in Children Program, visit http://www.foundationscps.org.

Media Contacts:

Marlene L. Mraz
The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools
(407) 320-0188
Marlene_mraz@scps.k12.fl.us

Ken Countess
The Countess Group
407-242-4200
kc@thecountessgroup.com