Holiday Run Event Aims to Raise Gifts and Money for Local Youth

The Rancho Cordova Police Activities League (PAL), a non-profit organization, will be hosting the city’s first holiday run event on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a 5k, 10k or 1.2 mile run/walk. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Rancho Cordova PAL, which offers free activities to the youth in Rancho Cordova.

“We are very excited about the upcoming Holiday Run for the Youth in our city,” said Dan Skoglund, mayor for the city of Rancho Cordova. “In today’s challenging economy with continuing school budget cuts, the Rancho Cordova PAL is providing a great service to the youth in our community.”

The event will take place at Rancho Cordova’s Village Green Park located behind Lowes near the intersection of Zinfandel Drive and Data Drive. Registration begins at 7 am, and the races will start at 8 am. Race registration fees range from $20 to $30; however, youth under the age of 18 can register for all races for $10. Participants will receive a complimentary T-shirt, and medals will be awarded to the top finishers in a variety of age categories.

The Rancho Cordova PAL is also encouraging race participants and local community members to bring unwrapped gifts to the event. All presents will be delivered to underprivileged families in the Rancho Cordova area prior to the holidays. The Soroptimist Chapter of Rancho Cordova will also host a “Picture with Santa” booth at the run for a discounted rate. You don’t have to be a runner to take advantage of this great photo opportunity.

The Rancho Cordova PAL is an activities-oriented juvenile crime prevention program that provides at-risk and underprivileged youth (ages 5 – 17) with guidance, organized activities and educational programming in a safe and friendly environment. By offering positive outlets to the youth in the community, the Rancho Cordova PAL aims to reduce gang activity, drug and alcohol abuse and incidents of juvenile crime and violence. Since the organization’s inception in June of 2008, they have successfully offered over 70 free programs with over 2,700 kids in attendance.

To register for the Rancho Cordova PAL’s Holiday Run for the Youth or to learn more information about the non-profit organization, visit PAL’s official website.