12-Hour Treadmill Challenge Helps Dallas Homeless Get Back on Their Feet

Local Volunteer from ACE Cash Express Runs Over 70 Miles on Treadmill Outside American Airlines Center

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Jan 09, 2017, 11:00 ET

DALLAS, Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ACE's own ultra-marathoner and triathlete, Eloy Gonzalez, has completed a 12-hour test of strength and endurance through Back on My Feet's annual Treadmill Challenge.

Gonzalez committed to running for 12 hours on a treadmill outside the American Airlines Center on Dec. 9 in order to boost awareness about homelessness, raise funds to benefit Back on My Feet Dallas-Fort Worth, and prove to members they can do anything they set their minds to.

Pictured: ACE associate Eloy Gonzalez and CEO Jay Shipowitz running the first hour of the Treadmill Challenge

"Each year, our Treadmill Challenge brings so much needed awareness to what we do here at Back on My Feet," said Gina Parker, Executive Director of Back on My Feet Dallas-Fort Worth. "Eloy's commitment to both the Treadmill Challenge and our program continues to amaze me."

Thanks to Gonzalez's fundraising efforts, the Back on My Feet Treadmill Challenge brought in a total of $9,324, and ACE Cash Express matched employee contributions to his cause. In total, ACE employees and the ACE Community Fund raised $7,818.

"ACE employees have a tradition to volunteer their time and energy to community organizations. Eloy has set a new high bar for all of us as an example of extraordinary commitment. His fellow employees supported Eloy and Back on My Feet with their personal contributions and I am pleased that ACE was able to match their dollars," said Eric Norrington, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at ACE Cash Express.

ACE CEO and Back on My Feet National Board Chairman Jay Shipowitz joined Eloy in running his first hour of the challenge. Over the course of 12 hours, Eloy broke his mileage goal and ran over 72 miles. He has been an active volunteer and supporter of Back on My Feet since 2011.

About ACE Cash Express
ACE Cash Express, Inc. is a leading financial services provider serving consumers online and through a network of over 1,000 retail store locations. ACE provides a range of retail financial products and services including short-term consumer loans, check cashing, prepaid debit cards, money transfers, bill payments and money orders. ACE Cash Express, Inc. is the largest owner and operator of check cashing stores in the United States.

About Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Operating in 12 major cities coast-to-coast, Back on My Feet recruits members at homeless and residential facilities and begins with a commitment to run three days a week. The second phase of the program, Next Steps, provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Since 2007, Back on My Feet has served more than 6,000 individuals experiencing homelessness and engaged more than 100,000 volunteers and supporters. Our members have run a collective 500,000 miles and obtained more than 4,000 jobs and homes. Every $1 invested in Back on My Feet returns nearly $2.50 to the local community through increased economic output and cost savings. Through our innovative program, Back on My Feet proves that there is hope, that individuals can achieve things they never thought possible and that there are people who will support them along the way. For additional information, visit www.backonmyfeet.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SOURCE ACE Cash Express, Inc.