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Louisville Sports Commission and Norton Sports Health Join to Support Family Scholar House

Louisville, Ky. – September 18, 2014 – The Louisville Sports Commission and Norton Sports Health are partnering with Family Scholar House to help the organization collect items for families and youth who are looking to transform their lives through education.

Walkers and runners participating in the Norton Sports Health Great Pumpkin 10K can show their support by donating the following items:

  • Toilet paper/paper towels
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Used sports equipment (baseballs, gloves, basketballs, etc.)
  • Mittens and gloves for the winter
  • Gently used clothes for kids (all sizes)
  • Diapers (all sizes)
  • School supplies

Participants can drop off items at Fleet Feet, located at 2239 Taylorsville Rd., now through Oct. 3 or bring them to The Parklands of Floyds Ford on Oct. 4. The Family Scholar House, a nonprofit organization devoted to changing lives, families and communities through education, will provide the items to the men and women taking advantage of its programs.

“The Norton Sports Health Great Pumpkin 10K is a family-friendly event that encourages healthy lifestyles for those participating,” said Karl Schmitt, executive director of the Louisville Sports Commission. “Family Scholar House embodies one of our race goals – fostering positive changes within the family through improved quality of life. They do that through education, where we do that through sports and fitness. That’s why we’re happy to provide our runners and walkers the opportunity to support the great work being done at Family Scholar House. ”

“Norton Sports Health is proud to support Family Scholar House as our charity of choice for the 2014 Great Pumpkin 10K race,” said Matt Ayers, chief administrative officer, Norton Hospital. “Our organizations share a common mission of building a healthier community, whether it’s through physical fitness or through education and strengthening families.”

“We appreciate the partnership of Norton Healthcare and the Louisville Sports Commission and their support to help our families through the Great Pumpkin 10K donation drive,” said Cathe Dykstra chief possibility officer, president and CEO of Family Scholar House. “Our scholars of all ages are working to succeed in education, careers and life. Donations of basic needs and gently-used children’s Halloween costumes promote a sense of normalcy for families that have experienced so much crisis and show that our community cares about their success.”

The Norton Sports Health Great Pumpkin 10K is the second race of the Louisville Sports Commission’s Fall Runathon, a series of three fall running races that provides unique courses and quality experiences for runners and walkers, while promoting healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and fitness levels. The Fall Runathon series began with the Louisville pure tap® 5K on Sept. 6. It concludes with the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon on Nov. 25, which starts in downtown Louisville on the historic Whiskey Row, follows the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park and ends in front of the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street. To register, or for more information, log on to FallRunathon.com.