FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2013
Contacts:
Rachel Filippini, Executive Director Group Against Smog and Pollution 412.924.0604 or (c) 724-972-9885 rachel@gasp-pgh.org Robert Levin, President Levin Furniture 724.872.2050 ext. 239 rlevin@levinfurniture.com
Levin Furniture Donates Free Registration for Students in Pittsburgh’s First-Ever Clean Air Dash and Festival
PITTSBURGH, PA – Thanks to a generous donation from Levin Furniture, 65 young people (18 years of age and younger) will run free of charge in Pittsburgh’s inaugural Clean Air Dash and Festival, on Saturday, October 19. This USA Track & Field-certified 5K course is flat and fast, suitable for all ages and skill levels. Runners will enjoy a scenic, fun race through one of the city’s most-loved greenways—theThree Rivers Heritage Trail in South Side Riverfront Park, followed by a free, family-friendly festival celebrating the region’s progress toward better air quality. Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) is hosting this event with support of the Breathe Project and many community sponsors.
To learn more about the Clean Air Dash and Festival and to sign-up visit: http://gasp-pgh.org/projects/au/5k/. To take advantage of the free student sponsorships contact Sam Thomas at sam@gasp-pgh.org or 412-924-0604.
“Levin Furniture has a passion for sustainability and commitment to the local community, and we are thrilled to be part of this fun and festive day,” said Robert Levin, President of Levin Furniture. “We’re also pleased to support the great efforts being made across the Pittsburgh region to raise awareness of the importance of clean, healthy air among young people and their families.”
“We are excited to be able to engage more participants in the Clean Air Dash and bring them to our race thanks to the generosity of Levin Furniture,” said Rachel Filippini, GASP Executive Director. “This inaugural event is a celebration of sustainable and healthy communities, clean air, and improvements in the region’s overall environmental health.”
The Clean Air Dash and Festival is the perfect opportunity to let your child or student participate in a fun, physically active competition, while they learn how important clean air is for their own health and the well being of their community. Young people are especially sensitive to the health impacts of air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe a proportionately greater volume of air than adults. They also spend more time engaged in vigorous activity outdoors.
In addition to the 5K, there will also be a one-mile Fun Run/Walk. Attendees can also scale the Venture Outdoors climbing wall, practice football skills with a Pittsburgh Passion player, calm their souls with some yoga, learn about a variety of environmental issues, and enjoy some tasty treats from food trucks.
The Clean Air Dash and Festival is an educational and fundraising event that supports GASP’s Athletes United for Healthy Air campaign. The campaign aims to educate athletes of all kinds about our regional air quality issues, ways they can minimize their exposure to air pollution while exercising and playing sports, and how to become champions for cleaner air.
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The Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc. (GASP) is Pittsburgh-based non-profit citizens group working for a healthy, sustainable environment. Founded in 1969, GASP serves as a watchdog, educator, litigator, and policy-maker on many environmental issues with a focus on air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://www.gasp-pgh.org.
Levin Furniture is a three-generation, family owned and operated furniture and mattress retailer with 23 stores in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio. Levin’s, founded in 1920, has a long history as a socially responsible member of the communities in which they operate. The company supports many groups and causes including the Free Care Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the American Red Cross, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.LevinFurniture.com.