October 2014 – SMILE Inc., a non-profit organization created to assist young adult’s with the challenges brought on by the burden of student loans announces their Inaugural Toga Party 5k race. The race will take place on Sunday, October 26th, from 7:30am – 11:30am, at Northlake Mall in Atlanta, Georgia and will be hosted by the City of Atlanta’s Health and Wellness Ambassador, Actor and former NFL Athlete Stevie Baggs Jr. This family-friendly event welcomes runners of all ages, preferably dressed in toga themed attire to join in the race to raise money for the SMILE Inc.’s ‘SMILE Scholarship Program’, an initiative to assist young adult’s facing current financial challenges with student loan repayment scholarships.
Registration is currently open and individuals are welcome to sign up as an individual or group (4) for $35 or $120, respectively. Each participant will receive a race t-shirt and SMILE Toga Party 5k headband with registration, and are invited to enjoy an after race party on “Race Row” where all the fun will take place. Race Row will feature notable guest djs, vendors and partner organization exhibits. Nike has teamed up with SMILE Inc to sponsor Nike prize packs that include a pair of running shoes and additional giftings for the first and second place male and female runners. Nike will also be onsite doing giveaways, discussing the latest Nike running innovations and best practices for runners. Nissan will be onsite with the All-New Nissan Rogue doing giveaways, Miller Lite will be on hand with some ice cold beer for the racers and Toga Party attendees. Stevie Baggs Jr. and his celebrity friends, will engage the crowd and speak on his journey through professional football, his non-profit the CETA Foundation, the importance of health and wellness, and how SMILE Inc.’s Toga 5k is addressing this issue.
“I was fortunate enough to receive athletic scholarships for my education but I know that is not the path for most students. When I heard about this organization paying back student loans and promoting health and wellness through this Toga 5k, it seemed like a win/win situation lending my time to this event. It will be fun and i’m looking forward to it,” says Stevie Baggs Jr., City of Atlanta’s Health and Wellness Ambassador.
With the average student loan debt for 2014 college graduates reaching a record of $33,000 and median earnings on a steady decline, according to The Wall Street Journal, financial relief has become a hot button topic that SMILE Inc. strives to address through its scholarship program.
“Our team at SMILE Inc is so excited about higher education, and providing resources to those who pursue it. We couldn’t think of a better way to show it then to help individuals pay back those pesky student loans. We are equally as excited about health and wellness so merging the undergraduate Toga Party with a 5k Race seems like a great fusion for a great cause,” says AnJanee Polk, Founder of SMILE, Inc.
The Inaugural Toga Party 5k is set to take place on Sunday, October 26th, from 7:30am – 11:30am, at Northlake Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. Proceeds from the race will create opportunities to award more young adults with student loan repayment scholarships. For more information and registration details, visit: http://www.smilescholarship.
Event Schedule
Friday October 24th
- 4:00pm – 7:00pm Pre-Registration Race Packet Pick-up Reception – Northlake Mall (Inside – Main Entrance)
Sunday October 26th
- 7:30am – Toga Party 5k Registration – Northlake Mall (Outside – Main Entrance)
- 9:30am – The Inaugural Toga Party 5k Begins
ABOUT S.M.I.L.E., INC.
SMILE Inc. an acronym which stands for Scholarship for Motivated Individuals Learning Eagerly was created with the intended purpose to assist worthy, motivated, and hardworking young adult’s with their current financial challenges brought on by the burden of student loan repayment. SMILE provides financial support to numerous young adults each year in the form of student loan repayment scholarships which alleviates the financial stress of what seems like an insurmountable obligation. In addition to repayment scholarships, SMILE Inc provides young adults with volunteer opportunities which gives individuals the chance to leave a mark on their communities and lend a helping hand to others. SMILE Inc also offers credit knowledge workshops in an effort to educate the young adults about improving their credit standing as they work to repay their student loans.
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