FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth B. Boggins
Vice President, Marketing & Brand Management
United Way of Summit County
Direct: 330-643-5519, Cell: 330-808-4126
[email protected]
Contact: Doreen Thorne
Marketing Manager
Soap Box Derby
Direct: 330-733-8723 x13
[email protected]
Find More Information and Register Your Team
AKRON, Ohio – May 19, 2015 – United Way of Summit County and The FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby are uniting Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 for the 6th annual Corporate Derby Challenge. Proceeds from the event will benefit both nonprofit organizations.
Teams representing local companies will build and decorate vintage Soap Box Derby cars and compete in a corporate version of The Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the WorldTM. The building starts at noon “Topside” in the Derby’s Hall of Fame building. Racing on the Derby Downs track follows in the early evening. Friends and family members can get in on the action with tailgating, Fun Runs in an authentic Derby car, live music, kid’s activities, food and more.
Trophies will be awarded to first, second, and third place teams and for the best decorated car. Each participating organization will get to keep its hand-crafted car.
Teams of up to seven members per companies can participate. Last year’s participants included Allstate Insurance Company, Bober Markey Fedorovich, Bridgestone Americas, The Erwin and Katherine Geis Charitable Foundation, The Goodwill Industries of Akron, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, GPD Group, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corp. and Steere Enterprises, Inc.
About United Way of Summit County
United Way of Summit County advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on Education, Income and Health because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. We train a spotlight on critical issues, engage with private and public sector leaders and coordinate agendas with partners to leverage Collective Impact. We invite everyone to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. When we work together in common purpose, we LIVE UNITED. For more information about United Way of Summit County visit uwsummit.org.
About International Soap Box Derby
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The Derby's Core Values and Drivers include: Youth Education and Leadership Development; Family Engagement and Enrichment; Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Teamwork and Collaboration; Mentoring; Volunteerism; and Commitment to Community. The Derby's two youth initiatives are the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby racing program and the STEM-based Education Program, which provides educational opportunities for K-12 youth worldwide through Soap Box Derby racing. The Derby dates back to 1934, when the first All-American race was held in Dayton, Ohio.