Invest in Others Charitable Foundation Donates $25,000 to BUILD Through Proceeds from Third Annual 5K Run/Walk in Chicago

CHICAGO, Aug. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation, Inc., a public charity that supports the philanthropic and volunteer efforts of financial advisors across the country, today announced it has contributed $25,000 to BUILD, Inc., through proceeds from its third annual 5K Run/Walk, an event held at Burnham Park along Lake Michigan in Chicago on Sunday, August 7.  Running legend Bill Rodgers came out to support the event and joined runners and walkers along the course, courtesy of John Hancock.

Founded and based in Chicago, BUILD is a nonprofit organization focused on stemming gang violence and preventing the influence of gangs on at-risk youth.  Funds raised in the 5K will be used to provide approximately 3,700 young people in the Chicago area with violence prevention and intervention, youth development, and coalition building so these youth can realize their educational and career potential and contribute to the stability, safety, and well-being of their community.

Following the run/walk, Invest in Others also awarded the fastest male and female runners and the runners-up in two categories—"financial advisor" and "overall"—with a generous donation to the charity of their choice.  This year's honorees included:

• Andrew Prentice of Bliss Investment Group in Olympia, WA; first-place male financial advisor; benefitting St. Martin's University
• Sybil Praski of Denver, CO; first-place female financial advisor; benefitting The Gathering Place
• Chad Zitzelsberger of Total Investment Planners, Inc. in Mt. Pleasant, MI; second-place male financial advisor; benefitting Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation
• Susan Pajer of Wells Fargo Advisors in Doylestown, PA; second-place female financial advisor; benefiting Animal Lifeline
• Jacob Baynham of Covington, KY; first-place male overall; benefitting Partners
• Mariam Said of BUILD in Chicago, IL; first-place female overall; benefitting BUILD
• Michael Tripoli of RockTenn in Chicago, IL; second-place male overall; benefitting Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
• Anna McGahan of McGahan Enterprises in Covington, KY; second-place female overall; benefitting The Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA)

"Invest in Others was thrilled to see the outpouring of interest and support among financial advisors and their families and friends during our third annual 5K Run/Walk in Chicago," said Kandis Bates, president of the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.  "We attribute our success to the generous support of those who participated in today's event, and we are pleased to make a meaningful donation to an organization that is having such a positive impact on the City of Chicago.  We look forward to hosting this event in San Diego next year and continuing our tradition of bringing together the generosity and compassion of financial advisors with exceptional local charities."

"We are very grateful for the generous commitment made by Invest in Others to BUILD's efforts to transform 'at-risk' youth at the margins of our communities into 'at-hope' youth who will enter and enrich the mainstream of our society," said Roslind Blasingame-Buford, Executive Director of BUILD, Inc. "The donation from Invest in Others will be enormously helpful in BUILDing community leaders. Looking ahead, we are excited by all we can accomplish with this additional funding and support. On behalf of the 3,700 youths in the Chicago area we serve annually, thank you!"

Sponsors of the Invest in Others 5K Run/Walk included: John Hancock Financial Services; LPL Financial; Clark Capital Management Group; J.P. Morgan Asset Management; Morningstar, Inc.; New York Life/MainStay Investments; Prudential Annuities; UnitedHealthcare; American Beacon Advisors; AXA Distributors, LLC; Behringer Harvard; Calamos Investments; Cole Real Estate Investments; Columbia Management; Dreyfus; Fidelity Investments; Grubb & Ellis Equity Advisors; The Hartford; InvestmentNews; Ivy Funds; Jorden Burt LLP; Lincoln Financial Group; Nationwide; NATIXIS Global Associates; Neuberger Berman; NRF Capital Markets; Protective Life Insurance Company; Steben & Company, Inc.; Chicago Restaurant Partners; and Kekst and Company.

About Invest in Others

Established in 2006 through the vision of LPL Financial, the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charity founded with the mission of encouraging and supporting the philanthropic and volunteer activities of financial advisors in their local communities.  The Invest in Others mission is achieved through a community-based approach to philanthropy that seeks to strengthen neighborhoods from within by empowering those who are committed to serving others in their professional and personal lives.  As mentors, volunteers, fundraisers and leaders, financial professionals lend their unique skills and perspectives to the challenges and opportunities facing their neighbors.  Invest in Others is proud to support and promote these efforts to better our world one community at a time.  For more information, visit http://www.investinothers.org/.

About BUILD, Inc.

Since its founding in 1969, BUILD, Inc. has effectively provided youth development services to over 80,000 at-risk children and adolescents in the Greater Chicago area.  Offering additional support to their families and communities, BUILD seeks to engage and motivate urban youth, encourage a positive lifestyle and assist in realizing individual potential to better achieve a fulfilling and successful future.  For more information, please visit http://www.buildchicago.org.

Media Contacts:
Joseph Kuo and Invest in Others Events Committee
646-522-2174 and 617-897-4640
[email protected]

Kirstin Gaspar
773-269-6034
[email protected]

SOURCE Invest in Others