The Houston Marathon Committee hosted its annual Run for a Reason charity luncheon last Thursday, April 28 with official charities, runners, fundraisers and Sidewalk Squad sponsors. Guests were all smiles and laughs as they were entertained with a fun magic show which set the tone for the afternoon.

The Committee presented 52 charities with a $2,086,000 check, the record fundraising total of the 2010-2011 race season. The Committee also recognized individuals and participating charities from the greater Houston area who contributed to the success of this past year’s Run for a Reason program.

Congratulations to our top fundraisers and charities who were awarded for their hard work and dedication to the Run for a Reason program!

Jennifer Alpard, The Cade R. Alpard Foundation for Pediatric Liver Disease
Top Charity Administrator Fundraising Award		 Team Butterfly, Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services
Top Fundraising Team Award
ESCAPE Family Resource Center
Best Charity Hoopla Station Award 		CanCare
Top Charity Fundraising Award,
1st Place
Trish & Kevin Kline, The Snowdrop Foundation
Top Goal Breaker Award 		The Houston Area Parkinson Society
Top Charity Fundraising Award,
2nd Place
 Jeff Thomas, Child Advocates
Top Individual Fundraiser Award,
1st Place 		Child Advocates
Top Charity Fundraising Award,
3rd Place
Doug Brooks, CanCare
Top Individual Fundraiser Award, 2nd Place		 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Top Charity with a Training Program Award
Larry DeSpain, The Snowdrop Foundation
Top Individual Fundraiser Award, 3rd Place		  

The Run for a Reason charity program links thousands of runners, individuals and organizations with nonprofit organizations to collect donations on behalf of an official charity of their choice. In addition, it provides a platform for charities to raise awareness and educate others about their cause. The Run for a Reason program also offers additional ways to enter the marathon and half marathon races through charity registrations.

Since its inception in 1995, the program has raised more than $12.4 million for charity.

Congratulations to all the 2010-2011 Run for a Reason charities, runners and fundraisers for their great success and impressive goals!

Official 2011-2012 Run for a Reason charities have just been announced so be sure to check out the Houston Marathon website for a complete list of participating nonprofit organizations you can support this race season.