Asha for Education NYC/NJ Announces 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk

The 4th Annual Asha for Education NYC/NJ Run/Walk is set to take-off on June 30 at Riverside Park in New York City. Each year, participants young and old run or walk a 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) route and raise money through pledged donations. Over 250 runners took part in last year's 5K Run/Walk and raised over $30,000.

This year, the run will start at 9 am at 116th Street and Riverside Drive. Prizes for the top fundraisers include an iPod Nano and a portable DVD player. Top runners can win $250 and $100 in the male and female categories. Registration is $20 ($25 onsite) and includes a free t-shirt, goodie bag, refreshments and a personal pledge page on Asha for Education NYC/NJ’s website. Participants raise funds by asking family, friends and co-workers to donate pledges to their personal fundraising goal.

100% of proceeds raised from the 5K go directly into Asha’s projects in India supported by the organization. Education initiatives supported by Asha’s fundraising efforts include education for slum children and tribal communities and alternative education for victims of child labor.

Following the race will be a finish line celebration with Indian snacks, drinks and awards. The 5K is open to anyone interested in learning about Asha for Education projects, to meet new people, to win great prizes and to get involved with a meaningful cause. Children are welcome to participate in the 5K.

For more information about the 5K, please visit the website at http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/5k.

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Asha for Education is a secular, zero-overhead, volunteer run, non-profit organization dedicated to developing education of underprivileged children in India. 100% of proceeds go directly towards supporting Asha projects in India. Asha was ranked #1 among “top-ten slam-dunk charities” by Charity Navigator in 2005.

Started in 1991 by a group of students at UC Berkeley, Asha has blossomed into a worldwide organization totalling 66 chapters (45 in the United States, 14 in India and 7 in Europe, Singapore and Australia).

Since 1995, Asha’s 66 chapters worldwide have disbursed over $8 million to more than 385 projects in India. The NYC/NJ chapter has supported several key projects with focus on special needs, disabilities, infrastructure, formal and non-formal education, community-based intervention and more. By pioneering bold new initiatives in the field of education, Asha is making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children of India.

For more information about Asha for Education, please visit the NYC/NJ chapter website at http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj