The A&F Challenge, New Albany Walking Classic, New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day and Thanks for Giving 4 Miler: All showcase our community’s beautiful scenery and unique quality of life while simultaneously serving a much greater purpose.
A&F Challenge
A&F Challenge
The A&F Challenge, founded in 2001, is Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s largest annual fundraiser, raising more than $10 million to date. This year, all proceeds will benefit SeriousFun Children’s Network, a global community of camps and programs at which children with serious illnesses can experience the magic of summer camp, for a week at a time, always free of charge.
The event will be held Sept. 9 at A&F’s home office in New Albany. This year, festivities will include a 5K run/walk; live music featuring Bleachers, X Ambassadors and CAAMP; local food and drink; and a kid-friendly Camp Fitch activity area. For more information on this event and to sign up today, visit www.anfchallenge.org.
New Albany Walking Classic
New Albany Walking Classic
The 12th annual New Albany Walking Classic, which begins at 8 a.m. on Sept. 11, will showcase New Albany’s neighborhoods to 3,500-plus walkers from nearly 40 states and Canada.
Presented by Healthy New Albany and its executive director, Dr. Phil Heit, the Walk has been voted the best walking event in America and is just one example of Healthy New Albany’s embrace of healthy living through community activities, events, personalized wellness and disease prevention. Healthy New Albany’s ultimate goal is to make New Albany the healthiest community in the United States, and events like its Walking Classic help it toward this goal one person at a time. All proceeds go back into the community to support health and wellness programming at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, the community’s health destination.
New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day
New Albany Classic. Photo courtesy of Curtis Wallis
The 19th annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day is held at the home of Abigail and Les Wexner from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 25. Rising country star Kelsea Ballerini, the reigning Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, will highlight the Concert at the Classic presented by Justice.
Family activities include zip lines, amusement rides and an interactive “Behind the Scenes of Hollywood” exhibit filled with costumes and attractions from some of Hollywood’s most famous movies. The event culminates with the No. 1 specialty equestrian event in North America, where world-class and Olympic champion show jumpers will compete. Last year’s total prize money was $125,000. The Classic’s organizers are especially excited for this year, as several riders are expected to participate after competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Though the day is fun-filled, its purpose is to support the Center for Family Safety and Healing and break the cycle of family violence and restore hope. Since its inception, the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix has raised more than $27 million for the center. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, at Easton Town Center’s Guest Services, CAPA Ticket Center, Equus Now or the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany.
Thanks for Giving 4 Miler
Thanks for Giving 4 Miler
The Thanks for Giving 4 Miler, held on Thanksgiving Day beginning at 8 a.m. with the kids’ Drumstick Dash, is new to our major event list after a spectacularly successful inaugural 2015 event. Last year, it drew more than 2,000 people and raised $72,500 for LifeCare Alliance, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and the New Albany Community Foundation.
The Thanks for Giving 4 Miler is all about family, giving back and having fun before everyone gathers for their respective Thanksgiving Day feasts. There is no official race fee. Runners and walkers get to set the amount they want to pay to participate, and no one gets turned away. This year, more than 3,000 are expected, and Express has signed on as the presenting sponsor. As with 2015, 100 percent of the proceeds will support the New Albany Community Foundation, LifeCare Alliance and Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
I hope to see you at all these events. They help create a festive atmosphere in our community while simultaneously making central Ohio a better place to live.
Scott McAfee is chief communications and marketing officer for the City of New Albany. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
