Inaugural 5K March to College on April 4
March 6, 2012
April 4 AIM High March to College:
Helping Students aim higher for a College Education
CHICAGO—March 6, 2012—In Chicago, fewer than 10% of public school students receive a Bachelor’s degree by the age of 25. The March to College presented by AIM High, a program of Chicago-based nonprofit organization Center for Companies That Care, aims to change that.
On Wednesday, April 4, 2012 Center for Companies That Care will host a first-of-its-kind event: the March to College—a 5K run/walk, open to all Chicagoland residents and students. The purpose of the March to College is to inspire underprivileged, school-age students to aim high for a college education. “Unlike their middle-class peers, urban minority students do not grow up surrounded by college-going expectations. The March to College establishes this expectation and cements a strong and positive association with college attendance,” said Center for Companies That Care President and founder Marci Koblenz. Participating runners/walkers receive new t-shirts annually updating where they are on their journey to a college education (College Bound, In College, or College Graduate) and continues to establish their commitment to higher education.
In addition, Center for Companies That Care will also be exhibiting its ‘Gallery of Celebrity Endorsements’. Public figures who support higher education have autographed t-shirts embossed with the events’ slogan, “GO TO COLLEGE” as a sign of support. Center for Companies That Care will donate these t-shirts to participating CPS schools.
Held during Chicago Public Schools’ spring break, March to College will begin at Columbus and Balbo in Grant Park. Registration and a pre-function festival will begin at 3:00 PM, and the run/walk will begin at 5:30 PM. A family registration, which includes 1 adult and two student tickets, is available for $25. Adult registration is $30 in advance and onsite. Student registration (college students and younger with a valid student ID) is $10. Every $10 donation pays for a CPS student’s participation in the March to College. To register for or to donate to the March to College visit www.marchtocollege.org, or call 312.661.1010.