The TD Beach to Beacon is a world class road race with a diverse field of thousands of runners that includes elite athletes from around the world who compete in a 10K event held along the picturesque Maine coastline, ending at the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.
But the spectacular scenery isn't the only thing that makes the race unique. When Joan Benoit Samuelson, race founder and the first Olympic Gold Medalist in women's marathon established the TD Beach to Beacon, benefiting kids in Maine was at the heart of her vision. Each year, TD Bank, as the founding sponsor, identifies a local non-profit as the race beneficiary and provides a cash donation of $30,000 in addition to the race community that also raises funds to support their mission.
This year's race beneficiary, Preble Street Teen Shelter, based in Portland, serves more than 300 youth statewide each year, including young teens who have been forced to leave home because of physical or sexual abuse and young adults struggling with substance use and/or mental illness. In addition to TD's donation, Preble Street Teen Services received more than $120,000 from the generous race community as this year's beneficiary.
Learn more about Preble Street Teen Services in the video below.
The bank recently signed a new five-year commitment to be the title sponsor for the TD Beach to Beacon 10K beginning with this year's race.
“We remain deeply committed to our shared Maine community through our ongoing support of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K," said Kate Burns, Retail Market President, Northern New England for TD Bank. “So many of our colleagues have a strong connection to this special race and all the good it does to help local organizations meet the critical needs of our Maine youth in a variety of impactful ways.”
Race day weather didn't dampen spirits
For the first time in 26 years, severe weather overnight delayed the start of the August 3 race for about an hour. However, the gloomy conditions couldn't dampen the spirits of all those involved who made the event a success. This year's running of Maine’s largest road race included more than 6,000 runners from around the world, 800 volunteers and hundreds of spectators.
"What an incredible event," said Kristen Levesque of Portland. "While standing in the rain at the start line, I said I will never do this again and now at the finish line I am definitely signing up for next year!"
Providing immediate needs and lifetime skills to promote stability and independence
Preble Street Teen Services, is a hub of services for homeless and runaway youth, providing immediate access and an acclaimed service coordination model. As the core component of Preble Street Teen Services, the Teen Center helps to meet immediate needs — providing warmth and safety, nutritious meals, clothing, and crisis intervention — while building positive relationships with young people, enhancing their self-esteem and offering them the opportunity to develop life skills that promote stability and independence.
“On behalf of the 350-youth served by Preble Street Teen Services, thank you to the entire TD Beach to Beacon 10K community, especially to the team at TD Bank,” said Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street Teen Services. “The tremendous support that we felt as this year's nonprofit beneficiary honors all of the clients that have needed — and will continue to need — the outreach, shelter, and housing services that Preble Street Teen Services offers and ensures that we can continue to help youth find stability and a safe place to live.”
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