US supermarket chain Hy-Vee announced on Monday that it will co-sponsor a children’s triathlon and family 5km run in July, with media reports on the announcement also featuring in the Des Moines Register.
The company is partnering with the Pinky Swear Foundation, a national charitable organization that supports children with cancer and their families.
It is the latest sporting venture for Hy-Vee, which in February dropped sponsorship of Des Moines’ elite-level triathlon, an international competition that once boasted a US$1 million purse.
BMW of Des Moines announced last week it would partner with the Des Moines Triathlon, which is held every year during Labor Day Weekend.
Hy-Vee’s newest event will include a children’s triathlon held on 11 July at Raccoon River Park and a family run on 12 July at Principal Park.
“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the Pinky Swear Foundation and its commendable efforts in raising funds and awareness for children with cancer,” Hy-Vee president and CEO Randy Edeker said in a statement. “Being involved in our communities is a top priority at Hy-Vee. In working with the foundation and local hospitals, we hope to engage families in fitness, raise funds for those in need and have a little fun in the process.”
Hy-Vee and the Pinky Swear Foundation will host 12 youth triathlons and four 5km family runs in 12 cities, including Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and the Quad Cities.
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned corporation operating 235 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than US$8.7 billion annually. Hy-Vee ranks among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States.
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