TD Beach to Beacon 10K Beneficiaries Past and Present Raise More Than $300,000 Over Two Years

Race beneficiary designation a “gift that keeps on giving” for variety of Maine charities

Cape Elizabeth, Maine - The designation as beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K is a gift that keeps on giving for a variety of Maine charity organizations who collectively raised more than $300,000 the past two years through their association with the popular international road race in Cape Elizabeth.

Race organizers on Thursday announced the findings of a survey of past and present race beneficiaries to gauge the ongoing financial impact of the TD Beach to Beach in Maine’s charitable community.

The TD Beach to Beacon (www.beach2beacon.org), which completed its 15th annual race on Aug. 4, selects a different Maine-based, non-profit youth organization each year as the beneficiary.  The organization receives a direct donation of $30,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation and significant publicity, plus a set number of highly-coveted race bib numbers to the sold-out race that it can use to raise additional funds.

All of the prior race beneficiaries also are provided the opportunity to fundraise with 25 entries. The bibs are sometimes auctioned or awarded to individuals who reach a designated fundraising threshold on behalf of the specific organization.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see the positive impact this race is having on these organizations, some for more than a decade after they were named the race beneficiary,” said volunteer Race President Dave Weatherbie of Cape Elizabeth. “This truly is a gift that keeps on giving as they are able to find ways to continue to raise money to help fund their programs that are so vital to the well being of Maine children and families.”

The 2012 beneficiary, the Center for Grieving Children, raised a total of $65,500 this year - $35,500 over and above the $30,000 donation from the TD Charitable Foundation, and Day One, the 2011 race beneficiary, raised a total of $58,000 last year, including the TD Charitable Foundation donation.

The survey showed that although the biggest bump takes place in the year the organization is named the beneficiary, many of the past beneficiaries are able to continue generating significant funds.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the race’s very first beneficiary in 1998, has raised more than $35,000 in total the past two years, for example. Several others have raised more than $20,000 in 2011 and 2012 combined, including Maine Handicapped Skiing (2009 beneficiary), Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center (2004), Kids First Center (2001) and Camp Sunshine (1999). Find a full list of TD Beach to Beacon beneficiaries.

The race beneficiaries raised a total of $164,300 this year and $146,750 in 2011, according to the survey results.

The TD Charitable Foundation, funded by TD Bank N.A., provided $60,000 of that total, and has now donated $450,000 to Maine charities over the 15-year history of the TD Beach to Beacon.

Maine-based, non-profit youth organizations have until November 1, 2012, to request consideration as the 2013 race beneficiary. Find details at www.beach2beacon.org/BeneficiarySelection.

Cape Elizabeth native and running icon Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984, founded the race in 1998 as a way to give back to her state and community with the support of TD Bank, the title sponsor since the beginning. The popularity and stature of the race quickly grew.

A total of 2,408 runners finished the first race in 1998 while a record 6,117 crossed the finish line in August. Online registration for the race now fills in minutes and the event each year attracts a field of top elite athletes from around the world, the best in Maine and New England, plus thousands of recreational runners who receive cheers from spectators who line the route. With the festive atmosphere, heavy community involvement and flawless organization, the TD Beach to Beacon 10K has earned a reputation as a world-class event with small-town charm.

The 16th TD Beach to Beacon 10K is slated for Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. Online registration takes place in March. The 2013 race beneficiary will be announced early next year.

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About the TD Charitable Foundation
The TD Charitable Foundation is funded by TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, and is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made $89.2 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundation’s areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.