Online registration is now open for Rochester Community Schools Foundation 10th annual Hometown Hustle on May 9

Media Contact: Lori Grein, Rochester Community Schools, 248.726.3127, lgrein@rochester.k12.mi.us; Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, cell 248.260.8466, barbara@eafocus.com

Rochester, Mich. ---March 11, 2015---The 5K Hometown Hustle, a treasured community tradition and the signature fundraising event for the Rochester Community Schools Foundation, will be held on Saturday, May 9. The tenth annual event will again bring the community together to celebrate fitness, family time and fundraising for the Foundation.

The Hometown Hustle attracted more than 1,300 participants in 2014, growing from about 300 in its early years. Thanks to a robust effort by the Foundation’s board to grow the event with participants and sponsors, an estimated 1,500+ attendees are expected this year. According to Lori Grein, manager of the Rochester Community Schools Foundation and Rochester Community Schools district spokesperson, the Hometown Hustle is critical to the mission of the Foundation.

“The Hometown Hustle is our signature fundraising event and raised $22,000 for the Rochester Community Schools Foundation in 2014,” Grein said. “Funds raised this year will provide targeted support for the district’s global awareness initiative in K-12 education.”

Global awareness is one of three focus areas in the Rochester Community Schools’ Strategic Plan 2020 and aims to challenge students through dynamic cultural experiences to be empowered global stewards. The new Chinese language program in the district is just one example of the global awareness initiative.

The Hometown Hustle is currently seeking sponsors for 2015. Several 2014 premier sponsors have already re-committed, including Drs. Kurt Doolin, Jeff Haddad and Marco Tironi of Rochester Advanced Dentistry, and Kaiser Studios. Multi-year sponsor, Par Pharmaceutical, increased its sponsorship to $5,000 this year and will serve as the inaugural bib sponsor.

“We are so thankful to all of our continuing sponsors,” Grein said. “Their support of the Rochester Community Schools Foundation and the Hometown Hustle make it possible to provide enhanced educational opportunities and scholarships to district students.”

The Hometown Hustle is Saturday, May 9 and brings community members of all ages together to celebrate not only Rochester Community Schools, but to enjoy the picturesque race route that runs through the historic neighborhoods of Downtown Rochester, the Rochester Municipal Park and the Paint Creek and Clinton River Trails. This is a chip-timed 5K Race and Fun Run/Walk for all calibers of runners and walkers. Adult registration is $22.50 ($28.00 day of race) and K-12 student registration is $12.50 ($18.00 day of race). Online registration is strongly encouraged and available at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Rochester/hometownhustle.

Current sponsorship opportunities include:

• $2,000 premier sponsorship, which includes signage on prime road frontage near six Rochester Community Schools: Rochester High School, Adams High School, Brooklands Elementary, North Hill Elementary, Hamlin Elementary and West Middle School. The signs will be prominently posted for 45 days to promote the Hometown Hustle and acknowledge key sponsor support. This is a unique advertising opportunity not available for any other entity in the Rochester area.
• $500 trail sponsorship, which includes sponsor logo on a directional 24” x 24” sign located along the race route.
• $150 shirt sponsorship, which includes sponsor logo on event t-shirt

For sponsorship information, please contact Susan Herring at the Rochester Community Schools Foundation board office at sherring@rochester.k12.mi.us or 248.726.3190.

About the Rochester Community Schools Foundation

The Rochester Community Schools Foundation, one of the first school foundations in Michigan, was established in 1995. The mission of the Foundation is to support and advance learning for all students by obtaining contributions for academics, arts and athletics. To donate or learn more, please call 248-726-3190 or visit the district website at www.rochester.k12.mi.us.

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