First Lady Kim Henry to Kick off Festivities

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation is proud to present the Capitol Challenge run/walk on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the South Plaza of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. The event is an effort to raise health awareness among Oklahoma’s communities and includes a welcome by First Lady Kim Henry. Proceeds benefit the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, whose mission is to provide Oklahoma children with access to health services.

“Health and wellness initiatives are very important to the Oklahoma Caring Foundation,” said Linda Sponsler, executive director, Oklahoma Caring Foundation. “Childhood obesity continues to afflict Oklahoma, and more opportunities are needed to encourage healthy behaviors and active lifestyles.”

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s most recent survey data indicates that 15 percent of 10 to 17-year-old children in Oklahoma are overweight.

“Capitol Challenge gives people a chance to practice good health and, at the same time, support an organization that will continue to spread the message of health and wellness among Oklahoma families,” Sponsler said.

Registration is available online at http://www.capitolchallenge.org  for $20 per person or at the event for $25 per person. Each registered participant receives an event T-shirt and a New Balance goodie bag sack pack. Participants can choose from three categories – 5K run, 1 mile fun run/walk, and “Little Champions” children’s dashes. Children can participate in the dashes at no cost. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., and the event begins at 8 a.m.

Capitol Challenge partners include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, OK Runner, The Oklahoman and Jordan Associates. The event is sponsored by KOCO Channel 5, New Balance and Arby’s. For more information, visit http://www.capitolchallenge.org  or contact Brooke Townsend at (405) 316-7216 or btownsend@bcbsok.com.

Capitol Challenge is one of the Oklahoma Caring Foundation’s many events that encourage health and wellness. Through the Oklahoma Caring Van Program, it provides free immunizations to children utilizing mobile health units that visit child care centers, schools and community events across Oklahoma. Over 107,000 immunizations have been administered to 45,000 children statewide since 1999. The foundation’s Caring Program for Children provides free primary and preventive health care benefits, to children whose families earn too much to qualify for government-sponsored health coverage, but earn too little to afford private coverage on their own. The foundation, established in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) organization, is funded by community contributions and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma as an in-kind donation.