Community Support Makes a Difference

As the 38th Annual Seal Beach 5K/10K kicks off this week, one of the things which really jumps out this year is the level of corporate and business sponsorship.  Elizabeth Kane, treasurer of Run Seal Beach said, “This year is clearly our best year ever in sponsorship.  We have achieved over a 23% increase from last year, which had broken all prior fundraising records by a significant margin.”  For our community, several major business partners have come forward in a powerful way to help bring more resources to the run.

Clean Energy, which has a focus on employee health signed on for one of four gold level sponsorships, this year.  As part of the company’s commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and work/life balance for its employees, Clean Energy offers all full-time employees the opportunity to participate in fitness programs.  Employees based at Clean Energy’s headquarters in Seal Beach have the opportunity to participate in fitness programs at an on-location state-of-the-art fitness facility – the Pickens Athletic Center for Excellence (PACE), named for the co-founder of Clean Energy, T. Boone Pickens.  In addition, the company also provides the natural gas fueled pace car for the run.

Energy Tubulars, a major supplier of oil country tubular goods, has been a key sponsor for the last several years.  As one of the initial key gold level sponsors brought forward by chairman emeritus, Bill Ayres, Energy Tubulars helped develop the start line we have now.  On race day, they along with the Mayor, Mike Levitt, will sound the start horn.

Dendreon Corporation is back for a second year, also as a gold level sponsor and is fielding not only a team of participants, but also volunteers for the day of the run.  “Dendreon is clearly committed to health and wellness in our community and their participation in the run demonstrates that,” said Marc Loopesko, race director. “Dendreons’ focus on cancer fighting therapies and as a local job creator has really made an impact on Seal Beach.”  Dendreon is also focused on some of our most excited runners, the kids.  They are the sponsor for the Kids Fun Zone and Fun Run.

“If not for the generosity of Dendreon and the t-shirt design gift sponsors, like Main Street Cyclery, Alternative Surf and Harbour Surfboards, we wouldn’t be able to do as much for the kids for the t-shirt design contest and the day of the race in the fun zone,” said Michelle Samuelson, Kids Fun Run director.

Rounding out the four, this year, a new sponsor, Finby Kimmes Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors has come on board the run.  New to the finish line, they will have a strong presence at this years’ run and hopefully many more to come.  “We are so pleased to welcome Finby Kimmes to the sponsorship team, they have indicated a real commitment to community involvement, and when approached about sponsorship, really leapt at the chance,” said Marc Looopesko.

And what about all the other sponsors that help contribute to the success of the run? Well, there are tons, from the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce as a silver level sponsor and clear partner with the 5th Annual Health Fair the month before, to the Original Fish Company, which has been part of the run for the last decade.

Be sure to check out the t-shirts and banners on race day, because it is really due to the support of these vital sponsors that race day is as successful as it can be. Plus, with each sponsor, that is one more dollar which can go back to local programs and non-profits in our community.  See you on race day!