Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation Named Beneficiary for TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K, Set for Saturday, August 5

World-class road race set for Saturday, August 5 along Maine coast

PORTLAND, Maine – TD Banknorth has announced that it has chosen the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation as the beneficiary for this year’s TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, in recognition of the support shown by the town of Cape Elizabeth and its residents since the race’s inception.

Race officials also announced that the ninth annual TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, one of New England's marquee road races, will take place on Saturday, August 5. Online registration will begin in March.

The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF) is a non-profit organization that enriches learning for Cape youth by funding innovative projects that fall outside of the school budget. TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000. Also, CEEF will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity.

"TD Banknorth has chosen CEEF as a way to thank the town of Cape Elizabeth for the tremendous support it has provided the race over the years, as well as so many of the town’s residents who have stepped up year after year to volunteer with the race," said Michael W. McNamara, president of TD Banknorth Maine. "Showing support for the town's children through this admirable organization is the most meaningful way we knew to accomplish that."

McNamara believes partnering with CEEF will help raise awareness about the benefits and necessity of education foundations at a time when public education budgets across Maine remain tight. "CEEF is an impressive example of a model education foundation that is helping Maine children," he said.

CEEF was founded in 2001 by the Cape Elizabeth community with a goal to support the community's tradition of excellence in public education and prepare students for a lifetime of success by fostering a love of learning.

Over the past four years, CEEF has awarded more than $182,000 in classroom and professional development grants, allowing students to stay on the cutting edge of technology and education. In the fall of 2005, CEEF supported the establishment of an Achievement Center at the high school, complete with 10 computers and interactive software, as a resource to help students reach their potential.

CEEF is in the midst of its Inspiring Bright Futures campaign, a three-year effort to raise $750,000 to continue to provide classroom and professional development grants, Achievement Centers at the middle and elementary schools, and create a permanent endowment for future initiatives.

“We are honored and grateful to be selected by TD Banknorth as a partner this year,” said David Sherman, a co-chair of CEEF’s Inspiring Bright Futures campaign.

“The bank’s generosity will allow CEEF to continue to make a difference in the lives of our young people and allow us to help other towns in Maine establish their own education foundations,” added Sherman, a longtime resident and community volunteer.

For more information about CEEF, visit www.capeeducationfoundation.org.

The 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K is set for Saturday, August 5, along the picturesque shores of Maine’s rocky coast in Cape Elizabeth.

In its relatively brief history, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon has established itself as one of Maine’s premiere sporting events and one of the most popular events on the U.S. road race circuit, drawing a field of 5,000 runners from throughout the region and the world to the small coastal community in Maine. As many as 10,000 spectators line the course to cheer the runners, and more than 800 volunteers help ensure a smooth operation.

The race begins near the Crescent Beach entrance on Route 77 and ends at the historic Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park. Online race registration begins in mid-March and usually fills by late May.

More than $50,000 in prize money is awarded to the top finishers and place winners in the various categories for men and women. The event also features a children's 1K race with 500 kids participating. For more information, visit www.beach2beacon.org.

TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medalist from Cape Elizabeth who also serves as a spokesperson for the bank during the year to promote the race and the bank’s giving programs, which benefit Maine youth with scholarships, sponsorship programs and charitable gifts.

Last year’s race beneficiary was the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland, and the year before it was Riding To The Top.

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