Press Release
November 9, 2007

Thousands Including Former NFL Quarterback Jay Schroeder to Run for Those Who Can’t in “Run for Mobility”
Event has Raised Funds for 14,000 Free Wheelchairs to the Poor in Developing Countries

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA -- The Surf City USA® Marathon, formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, may have changed its name, but Southern California’s largest oceanfront marathon will continue its successful charitable partnership with the Free Wheelchair Mission.  The charity has set a goal of raising enough money to provide 13,000 free wheelchairs to the disabled in undeveloped countries from this year’s event, scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008, on the shores of Huntington Beach, CA.

To show there is more to do on Super Bowl Sunday than just watch football, former NFL quarterback Jay Schroeder has committed to run in the event and serve as the keynote speaker for the fundraising dinner on February 2 at the Hilton Beachfront Resort. 

Schroeder was a two-sport star at Palisades High School in Los Angeles and played football locally for UCLA.  His 11-year NFL career began with the Washington Redskins.  He was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders for whom he played from 1988-92, and led to the 1990 AFC Championship Game.  In 2007, he began serving as coach and offensive coordinator for Snow Canyon High School in St. George’s, UT.

“I am excited about the opportunity to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in such a healthy and rewarding way,” said Schroeder.  “Once I heard about the great work the Free Wheelchair Mission does, I knew it was a cause I wanted to support.  I encourage all runners to fundraise and all of my former neighbors, classmates and fans in Southern California to sign up to run or sponsor a runner.”

For the third consecutive year, the “Run for Mobility” will allow runners the chance to permanently change lives by raising money to purchase special wheelchairs for the physically disabled in undeveloped countries. Thus far, through the partnership between the charity and the marathon, more than 14,000 people have received a free wheelchair and the gift of mobility thanks to runners.

In the “Run for Mobility” program, runners or walkers can become fundraisers by running the marathon, half marathon, or 5K, and committing to raise donations from businesses, friends, and co-workers as part of the activity.  For people who want to help support the cause but do not have a runner to sponsor, Free Wheelchair Mission is encouraging people to support Jay Schroeder’s run by visiting his personal fundraising page at www.RunForMobility.org.  Jay has set a goal of raising $57,000 – ten wheelchairs for each of the 114 touchdown passes he threw in the NFL.

The Run for Mobility raised $165,000 in its inaugural year, and $465,000 last year.   This year’s goal is $650,000, enough to “lift” 13,000 people off the ground and into a wheelchair.  Each wheelchair costs just $48.35 to produce and is delivered for free, with no conditions.

“There are one hundred million people living and crawling in the dirt around the globe,” said Don Schoendorfer, President and Founder of Free Wheelchair Mission. “We are once again delighted to join forces with the Surf City USA Marathon so we can offer the gift of mobility to thousands, while at the same time enlighten the community about these forgotten human beings.  We encourage everyone to join us and Jay in supporting the cause.”

As an extra incentive, the Free Wheelchair Mission will pay the registration fee and guarantee a spot in the Surf City USA Marathon, Half-Marathon or 5K for any person willing to raise a minimum of $500.  For more information, contact 800-733-0858, ext. 219 or visit www.RunForMobility.org or www.RunSurfCity.com.

About Free Wheelchair Mission
Free Wheelchair Mission  is an Orange County, California based non-profit organization who’s mission is to transform lives through the gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countries as motivated by Jesus Christ. Free Wheelchair Mission creatively partners with like-minded international humanitarian and indigenous organizations and plans to distribute 20 million wheelchairs. Started in 2001, the organization has distributed more than 275,000 wheelchairs to 73 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.freewheelchairmission.org.

About the Surf City USA® Marathon
The longest running marathon and half marathon in Orange County, the Surf City USA Marathon is celebrating its 12th Anniversary on February, 3rd, Super Bowl Sunday.  This year’s event is expecting 15,000 runners from all 50 states and several foreign countries. For more information or to register, please visit www.runsurfcity.com.
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Media Contact: Doug Drotman (doug@drotmanpr.com – 631-462-1198)