Hy-Vee, Pinky Swear Foundation Announce New 5K & Fun Run Event Dates

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (May 18, 2017) — Today, Hy-Vee, Inc. announced it is once again partnering with Pinky Swear Foundation, a national charitable organization that supports children with cancer and their families, to host several kids fundraising events across the Midwest this summer. The past two years, this unique partnership brought Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlons to Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha and the Quad Cities. This year, instead of triathlons, family fitness events titled — Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run — will take place in the same cities and will include a 1 mile or 1K fun run and a 5K run/walk for the entire family, as well as a fitness expo.

Instead of focusing on competition, children and families at all fitness levels are encouraged to participate to help raise money for kids with cancer and their families. The money raised provides basic needs — such as mortgage and rent, transportation, utilities, gas cards and food — and experiences that create emotional support to impacted families. According to Pinky Swear Foundation, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 45 minutes in the United States and 1 out of 11 families given that news will file for bankruptcy.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Pinky Swear Foundation to highlight our commitment to health and wellness while also giving back to our communities,” said Ryan Grant, director of sports marketing at Hy-Vee. “While the format of our Hy-Vee Pinky Swear events has changed, the mission remains the same — to connect fitness and fundraising to raise money for children with cancer.”

Over the past two years, more than 4,200 kids ages 6–18 participated in the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlons, raising more than $630,000.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Hy-Vee to bring family fun events to cities in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska,” said Erica Campbell, executive director of Pinky Swear Foundation. “I am proud of the work we’ve done to engage youth in these communities, so they can help their peers who have been impacted by cancer. We’re excited to work with Hy-Vee to make this a fundraising event the whole family can take part in, and we look forward to our partnership serving hundreds of additional children and families.”

2017 Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run Event Schedule:

• July 16 — Centennial Park, Davenport, Iowa

• Aug. 13 — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Aug. 19 — Lake Ann, Chanhassen, Minnesota

• Sept. 24 — Principal Park, Des Moines, Iowa

• Sept. 30 — Lewis & Clark Landing, Omaha, Nebraska

Continuing a 14-year legacy in the Twin Cities, the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlon will take place at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 5.

Register now to participate in one of the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear 5K & Fun Run events at http://www.pinkyswear.org/events.