Annual grant distributions plus Soberanes Fire contributions and national charity fund raising brings total 2016 donations to over $750K
The Big Sur International Marathon distributed more than a quarter million dollars in grants to 77 organizations on the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur at a reception Wednesday evening in Monterey. Scout groups, youth and arts organizations, the local military, community service groups and schools were among the many beneficiaries receiving funding from the 31st annual Big Sur International Marathon held last April. Overall, $253,000 was distributed to 77 groups (see list below). Since its inaugural event in 1986, the Big Sur International Marathon has distributed more than $4.5 million in grants, primarily to organizations that have helped stage both the full and half marathons events. “In keeping with its mission statement to give back to the community, the Big Sur Marathon makes a significant contribution to the health and welfare of our community,” said John Mutty, chair of the Grants Committee and former chair of the Big Sur Marathon Board of Directors. “We are honored to help those that are allowing us to fulfill our goals of staging a world class event.
In addition to supporting local groups, the marathon is also a vehicle to assist charitable organizations in their own fund raising efforts. Individuals sign up to run the Big Sur race while obtaining sponsors for their cause. Collectively, 18 organizations from outside the County raised more than $400,000 for such organizations as Lazarex Cancer Foundation, Inheritance of Hope, Children of Peru, the Boomer Esaison Foundation and others.
Also, this year the Big Sur International Marathon organization contributed significant funds in support of the firefighting efforts of the Soberanes Fire. In August, BSIM donated a total of $122,000 to local fire brigades, the Big Sur Health Center, the Community Foundation and to the family of the fallen firefighter.
“With a combination of charity fund raising, our annual grant distribution, and the Soberanes fire donations, our event provided over 750 thousand dollars directly and indirectly, which is a significant amount for a race of our size,” said Doug Thurston, Executive Director of the Big Sur International Marathon.
The Big Sur International Marathon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded primarily by race registrations, sponsor contributions, and individual donations.
This year’s locally-based grant recipients are included below.
American Red Cross, Apple Pie School, Aria
Big Sur Charter School, Big Sur Grange, Big Sur Health Center, Big Sur Historical Society, Big Sur Learning Project/Stage Kids, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, Big Sur Friends of Library
Calif Nursing Students Assoc. of MPC, Captain Cooper School Parent Club, Carmel Host Lion Club, Central Coast Athletics-Fury, Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers, CERV Monterey, Child Abuse Prev. Council, Mont Health Community Partnership for Youth, CSUMB Return of the Natives, CSUMB Women’s Soccer
Del Rey Woods PTA, DMWR BOSS
Fairview 4-H, Friends of Monterey Public Library
Gazebo School/Park, Girl Scout Artemis Leadership Camp, Girl Scout Destination, Girl Scout Troop 30609, Girl Scout Troop 30626, Girls Inc. of Central Coast (Seaside High), Hartnell College Physics Club, Henry Miller Memorial Library
International School
Japanese Language School, Junior League of Monterey County, Junipero Serra School – Washington Program , Juvenile Impact Program
Kinship Support Unlimited, Kiwanis Club of Pacific Grove , Knights of Columbus (Carmel)
Marina High School ASB, Marina High School AVID program, Marina High School Cross Country, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, Mission Trail Lions of Carmel, Monterey Bay Gymnastics Assoc., Monterey County Assoc. of Realtors, Monterey County Habitat for Humanity, Monterey High Cross Country Boosters, Monterey High Wrestling Club, Monterey Peninsula Voices, MPC Child Development Center
Naval Postgraduate School Cycling Club, Navy Supply Corps Fdn – Monterey Chapter
Old Capitol Lions Club
Pacific Grove High School Lacrosse, Pacific Grove High School Track & Cross Country, Pacific Grove High School Wrestlers, Pacific Grove Middle School, Pacific Grove Music Boosters,Pacific Valley School / Big Sur Unified School District
Rising Star Gymnastics Booster Club, Robert Down School PTA
Saint Mary’s Youth Group, San Carlos School, Santa Catalina Middle School, Seaside Aquatic Club, Seaside High Cross Country, Seaside High Girls Softball
Troop 2, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 43, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 60, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 90, Boy Scouts of America , Troop 127 Boy Scouts of America
Ventana Wildlife Society
White Stag Leadership
York School
