Shoe Donation to Students Is First Step for a Successful Future

More Than 4,000 Shoes Arrive Just in Time for L.A. Marathon

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 12 -- Sixty members of Students Run L.A. (SRLA) from Los Angeles-area middle and high schools converged on Le Conte Middle School in Hollywood today to try on new, high-quality running shoes donated by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. A total of more than 4,000 pairs of shoes were donated to the 2,000-plus SRLA students who will wear the Saucony shoes to train for and run the 26.2-mile Los Angeles Marathon on March 2, 2003. In addition to the shoes, students also received training tips and encouragement from three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

The innovative SRLA program helps at-risk students channel their energy into training for and completing the L.A. Marathon. Through rigorous training and running, SRLA teaches students the values of commitment, dedication and discipline -- lessons they will utilize throughout their lives.

"Students Run L.A. turns young lives around through support and encouragement," said Marsha Charney, executive director of SRLA. "The program challenges at-risk students to do something that most people consider impossible -- complete a marathon. As the students learn to set and achieve short-term goals in each of their training runs, they begin to translate these achievements to the classroom and beyond."

More than 95 percent of SRLA students complete the Marathon, and more than 90 percent of SRLA seniors graduate from high school -- a graduation rate that is 25 percent higher than the L.A. Unified School District. Since the program's inception twelve years ago, more than 15,000 Los Angeles area students have benefited from the program.

"This year is Honda's seventh year supporting the students from SRLA and its eighth year sponsoring the L.A. Marathon," said Eric Conn, vice president of national advertising at American Honda. "We continue to proudly support this program because of its positive impact on shaping the future of today's youth. It is also a great way for Honda to contribute to the community and make a difference."

The non-profit organization relies upon grants and contributions from local foundations, corporations and individuals. In addition to the donation of running shoes, American Honda also provides significant funding to SRLA to support their scholarship programs. American Honda associates support the program by raising funds through several company events and by participating in the L.A. Marathon and/or the Acura L.A. Bike Tour.

"Honda's support, both as a corporation and on the part of individual associates, is exceptional," said Charney. "They understand that for each of our students, finishing a marathon is the start of something bigger. It sets these kids on a course to high school graduation and a successful future."

Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Today, more than 21,000 associates in the United States are employed by Honda in the areas of design, development, engineering, assembly and sales of Honda and Acura products. Honda operates 12 manufacturing facilities in North America that produce automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment, transmissions and engines, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

CONTACT: Wendell Bugg, +1-310-781-3217, or cell, +1-310-503-4290, or
Abby Pluth, +1-310-781-5056, or cell, +1-310-729-1440, both for American Honda
Motor Co., Inc.