United Bank Continues Support of Local Youth Fitness Program

United Bank and the United Bank Foundation Connecticut will provide support to the HMF FitKids in School program through the second year of its presenting-level sponsorship of the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon.

A $25,000 grant from the United Bank Foundation Connecticut will support the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s (HMF) FitKids in School fall 2016 program. FitKids in School provides age-appropriate training guides for students to run a cumulative 26.2 miles, the distance of a marathon, over 6-8 weeks in school. Students finish the program at the Final Mile, a run and celebration to be held at Rentschler Field on October 25. There, students cross the finish line of their last mile and celebrate at a health and fitness expo with games, activities, and demonstrations that encourage a healthy lifestyle. Last year, approximately 2,800 students from 28 local schools participated in the program free of charge.

Additionally, United Bank will support HMF’s premier annual race event, the Eversource Hartford Marathon, through a $25,000 commitment, solidifying their position as a presenting level sponsor. United Bank employees will come together to run and volunteer at the October 8th marathon, half marathon, 5K and team relay.

“We truly appreciate the continued support of generous partners like United Bank who help us inspire youth and our communities to get fit and be active,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director and CEO of the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

“United Bank and the United Bank Foundation Connecticut are proud to once again generously support and lend our name to the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s FitKids in School program. Last October, we witnessed first-hand the impact this program has on young students and their respective schools, teaching them how to get fit and stay healthy while having a lot of fun doing it,” said William H.W. Crawford, IV, CEO of United Bank and United Financial Bancorp, Inc. “The Hartford Marathon is so much more than just a one day race in downtown Hartford. It is a year-long event with organized activities geared toward promoting good health to people of all ages, thanks to programs like HMF FitKids in School.”

For more information about the HMF FitKids in School program or youth fitness programs available through the Hartford Marathon Foundation at community events across the region, please visit http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/FitKids/FitKids.htm

For more information about sponsorship opportunities to support the Hartford Marathon Foundation or FitKids in School program, please contact info@hartfordmarathon.com.

ABOUT HARTFORD MARATHON FOUNDATION

The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes approximately 42 annual athletic races, including the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, and training programs for young runners. For more information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and follow on Facebook at HMF Events, Twitter at @runHMF and Instagram at HMF_Events.

ABOUT UNITED BANK:
On April 30, 2014, United Bank (established in 1882) and Rockville Bank (established 1858) completed a transformational merger of equals by bringing together two financially strong, independent-minded institutions to create the premier community bank in New England with more than 50 branches in two states and $6.3 billion in assets. United Bank is a Connecticut state chartered bank headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn. with regional offices throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Holding Company for United Bank is United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market: "UBNK"). For more information on United Bank, please visit www.bankatunited.com.