Running the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure(R): Crystal Springs(R) Employees Form Team for June 5 in Washington, D.C.

EPHRATA, Penn., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The pink caps on the 5-gallon bottles of Crystal Springs water remind people throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, of breast cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement.  For Stephanie Snyder, Natalie Sadar and several other employees at the Crystal Springs® plant in Ephrata, PA, it also reminds them to keep training for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® on June 5 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100527/CL12252 )

"We created a team for the Komen Global Race so associates, along with their families and friends, could join together to support the cause," said Natalie Sadar, a Maintenance Administrator at Crystal Springs in Ephrata.  Crystal Springs operates two branches in the greater Washington area, one in Alexandria, VA, and the other in Beltsville, MD.  Crystal Springs is the local brand of Atlanta-based DS Waters of America, Inc., a producer and distributor of home, office and retail bottled water, filtration and coffee service across the United States.

To date, 13 employees are getting ready for the race. The June 5 Komen Global Race is a 5K Run/Walk that annually brings together more than 10,000 runners and 35,000 walkers.  Crystal Springs is donating 100,000 half-liter bottles of water and 3,900 one-gallon bottles of water to the event.  Running and walking the race is a thirsty business, and as participants gather at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Crystal Springs water will be distributed along the route and at the completion of the Race.  The bottled water will also be available in a special tent for the more than 4,000 breast cancer survivors expected to participate.  Bottles will also be available at the VIP tents.

Stephanie Snyder, Human Resources Generalist, was impressed by the relationship DS Waters and Crystal Springs has built with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  

"During my job interview, I noticed the company's commitment right away," Stephanie said.  "The Crystal Springs route trucks with Komen logos drive in and out all day, there are posters throughout the office and plant, and our internal website promotes the cause too."

Both Stephanie and Natalie have friends and family who are breast cancer survivors.  "This race is the perfect opportunity to make a difference," Stephanie said.  "I am excited that the company has this relationship with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Corporate responsibility is so valuable because you can spread the word better; there is that extra push that helps a lot.  I'm a concerned individual, but I am also glad to be part of something bigger."

Natalie, Stephanie and the other team members are training for the race, each in her own way.  A 5K is approximately 3.1 miles.  Natalie, on the rowing team in college, cross-trained as a runner but admits that in recent years her running has been on and off.  She ran her first 5K last year, and has done 5K walks for other causes.  "My main goal is to be at this event on June 5 and to participate. I expect it to be a very powerful and moving experience, especially with the thousands of people attending.  I am excited to be part of the positive energy of those in the race, the many survivors and those offering cheers of support," Natalie said.

Both women are assembling their gear, looking for bright pink shirts and running shorts (Komen's well-known color) and building company wide support for their team. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the world's largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer with more than 1.5 million participating in the Race series annually.  People interested in participating in this year's Komen Global Race, whether by running, walking, fund raising or even by sleeping-in, can register online at www.globalraceforthecure.org.

About Crystal Springs

For over 80 years, Crystal Springs has delivered the finest quality water to homes and offices across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.  Because Crystal Springs offers the convenience of home or office delivery and its products can be found on store shelves, bottled water drinkers have made Crystal Springs a favored brand whether they're at home, at work or enjoying leisure activities.  Known as a partner to a variety of events and organizations that are focused on family, youth, fitness and education, Crystal Springs has a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves.  Crystal Springs and its associates also support local communities by providing water during emergencies such as hurricanes, fires, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.  Learn more about what makes Crystal Springs bottled water the best bottled water delivery, filtration and coffee service choice for your family, your business and your lifestyle at www.crystalwater.com.  

About DS Waters:

Created in 2003, DS Waters is a U. S. operated bottled water, filtration and coffee service company with a long history of great American brands. DS Waters is the producer and distributor of home, office, and retail bottled water products across the United States under the brand names Abita Springs®, Alhambra®, Belmont Springs®, Crystal Springs®, Hinckley Springs®, Kentwood Springs®, Nursery® Water, Sierra Springs® and Sparkletts®, and Roast2Coast®, a coffee delivery service.

The company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the U.S. leader in home and office water delivery, focusing on five gallon, one gallon and single serve bottled water products as well as coffee and filtration services. Water is bottled at 35 manufacturing facilities, 27 of which are company owned, and then delivered to millions of homes and offices, as well as retail establishments across the country. DS Waters employs approximately 4,500 Associates in 40 states. Visit www.water.com or www.nurserywater.com for more information.  

About the Race:

The June 5, 2010 race marks the 21st running of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series in the nation's capital, which annually brings about 50,000 people to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Last year's event raised $4.7 million for education and community outreach programs in the National Capital Area and across the globe.   The 2009 Komen Global Race had 44 international teams and 21 international survivors from 18 different countries.  Each year up to 75 percent of funds raised by participants, participant fundraising and sponsorships go support local education, outreach and patient/survivor support efforts. The remaining 25 percent help Komen's work around the globe to share knowledge and experience, and to fund education and breast health services in regions where few exist.

SOURCE DS Waters