BGCOP Aims to Raise the Most Money in Santa to the Sea Charity Challenge

    OXNARD, CA, November 27, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is taking part in the Santa to the Sea half marathon and 5K Charity Challenge Dec. 14, where race participants --and their friends-- can help raise money for the Club. As one of five designated charities, BGCOP aims to raise the most money and win the Charity Challenge. The contest runs through the end of the year.

"This is our fourth year in a row taking part in the Charity Challenge, and this year we'd love to bring home the trophy for Top Charity," said Erin Antrim, BGCOP chief executive officer, who ran last year's race. "We raised $3,200 last year and hope to double it this year."

This year, the Club has designated five team captains who will rally their teams to help raise money for the Club. In addition to Antrim, BGCOP team captains are Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, Director of Public Health Rigo Vargas, BGCOP board member Steve Kinney and Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney Rachelle Dean.

Team captains are in charge of recruiting participants who are willing and ready to make fundraising their top priority. Team members can include family, coworkers, friends and neighbors--anyone who wants to help and participate. It's an opportunity to build Club involvement, improve health and have fun.

BGCOP is offering incentives for those who can help raise money, including a paid entry fee for those who raise $1,000, gift cards to local sporting goods stores for those who raise $500 and movie passes for $100 in donations for BGCOP.

Funds raised in the Charity Challenge benefit Club programming and activities for the more than 9,000 Club youth served each year at the 18 Club sites.

The Santa to the Sea race takes place Dec. 14 in Oxnard and offers four different types of races for people to walk or run: half marathon, two-person relay race, 5k run and a 1k kids fun run. The organization awards trophies to the team that raises the most money for its charity, and the charity that raises the most money overall.

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs and 18 school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,000 members annually. It's also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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