STRIVE Named Beneficiary for This Year's TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K

Special 10th running of world-class road race set for Saturday, August 4 along Maine coast

PORTLAND, Maine – TD Banknorth has chosen STRIVE, a non-profit organization that serves developmentally disabled youth, as the beneficiary for this year’s TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race.

Race officials also announced that 2007’s special 10th running of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, one of New England's marquee road races, will take place on Saturday, August 4. Online registration will begin in March.

STRIVE’s mission is to assist teens and young adults with intellectual and emotional disabilities in utilizing resources within their community so they can participate as viable members of the community. Based in South Portland, STRIVE presently serves 400 teens and young adults, providing social opportunities through a safe and chem-free environment, employment training, educational classes and other programs.

TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000. Also, STRIVE, as race beneficiary, will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity.

"We were so impressed by the invaluable work being done by STRIVE, a fine organization worthy of this recognition,” said David Ott, president of TD Banknorth in Maine. “The assistance they are providing to these Maine teens and young adults is vital to helping them learn the skills they need to thrive in their communities. We’re so pleased to be able to use this year’s special 10th anniversary race to shine a light on STRIVE.”

Founded in 1999, STRIVE offers a range of programs and services to developmentally disabled young people throughout southern Maine. Programs include:
• Wednesday Nigh Educational Series - Taught by local experts on such topics as healthy relationships, computers and money management.
• BookWorks! – An employment training program that allows young people to run a used bookstore.
• Nationally-recognized STRIVE U – Maine’s first post-secondary program for young people with developmental disabilities.
• CAMP STRIVE – A new program offering a school vacation and summer day camp program.
• Friday Night Social Events – Giving young people an opportunity to meet and make new friend from throughout southern Maine.
• Weekend Community Events - Trips, outings and events aimed at promoting socialization.

“STRIVE is proud to serve an important need in our community,” said Peter Brown, STRIVE Program Manager. “We feel so honored to be selected by TD Banknorth, which has a wonderful record as a corporate citizen of Maine, as a partner for this world-class event. The bank’s generosity is quite overwhelming.”

For more information about STRIVE, visit www.pslstrive.org.

2007 marks the 10th running of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K along the picturesque shores of Maine’s rocky coast in Cape Elizabeth.

In its 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 5,500 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.

Nearly $60,000 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.

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