America Scores Executive Director takes to the streets

CHICAGO, IL – On September 23, Amy Vondra Stark, Executive Director of America SCORES Chicago, will fundraise for its unique after school programming by juggling a soccer ball for 14 hours.  Starting at 5 a.m. at NBC Plaza, Ms. Vondra Stark will then proceed to 190 N. State, Daley Plaza, and 120 S. Riverside Plaza, ending at 7 p.m.  America SCORES- an after school program applauded by the White House as a model for fighting childhood obesity- will challenge government officials, Chicago Public School administrators, professional soccer players, and the general public to juggle alongside Ms. Vondra Stark to demonstrate their commitment to efforts that fight childhood obesity.

The program is currently facing financial challenges due to the slowed economy.  In order to keep serving all 500 of its 3^rd-8^th grade students, Ms. Vondra Stark hopes to raise at least $25,000.

Ms. Vondra Stark’s effort is part of a two-city campaign, Kick, Click, and SCORES.  Simultaneously, America SCORES Milwaukee Executive Director, Kate Carpenter, will juggle in downtown Milwaukee. The campaign website, www.KickClickScore.org, will feature live webcasts of the juggling and show a head-to-head competition for donations and public turnout at the Chicago and Milwaukee events.  The organization’s social media will provide frequent updates about notable attendees.

In addition to fundraising for the program, Ms. Vondra Stark aims to highlight Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.  One in three children in America is overweight or at risk of becoming obese, and the epidemic is particularly acute for urban, low income, and minority youth.  Despite the national concern with childhood obesity, schools and non-profit agencies struggle to find funding sources to allow them to effectively address the issue.  Through Kick, Click, and Score, America SCORES’ juggling Executive Directors will raise awareness of the childhood obesity challenge and funding to serve more of the Cities’ youth.

 

 

 

How the event works:

1. Kick – Keep the soccer ball moving and off the ground by challenging others with a monetary pledge to juggle to support the campaign.
2. Click – Donate to your favorite City online and follow the event’s progress throughout the day at http://kickclickscore.org/.
3. Score – Give urban youth the tools to succeed on the field and in the classroom.