Run with Carl and Ascentra Credit Union Partner to Support Local Students

Run with Carl has a new partner in its mission to support local students in the Quad Cities. Ascentra Credit Union is the new title sponsor of Run with Carl, committing a total of $30,000 over the next three years.

Pictured from left, Ascentra Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Naeve, Ascentra President and CEO Dale Owen announcing the sponsorship of Run with Carl with Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation President Bruce Tinsman, Run with Carl Co-Race Directors Dan White and Eric Willis, and Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation President Dave Borcherding.

“Run with Carl has a 22 year history of outstanding public support. Ascentra is the newest and largest sponsorship in race history. With Ascentra’s long term commitment, Run with Carl will continue to grow, expanding our impact on the local community,” Co-race director Dan White said.

“Ascentra Credit Union is committed to supporting initiatives that help students, schools, and education in our region,” Ascentra President and CEO Dale Owen said. “We are happy to be a partner in maintaining this respected Labor Day tradition.”

For decades Ascentra Credit Union has stayed true to the founding principles of the credit union movement of people helping people. This philosophy is evident in the numerous charitable contributions given to area causes, organizations, and individuals in our region.

Ascentra is a champion of education in our region. The credit union sponsors financial literacy programs for area teachers and schools, has created promotions that allow its members to give back to the schools of their choice, encourages staff to volunteer in educational programs and also provides scholarships every year to its members.
Since 1995, Run with Carl has become a Labor Day tradition for thousands of families.

For the first 20 years, the Schillig family organized the race to fund the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship, named for their 15 year-old son who died in a car-pedestrian accident. The Fund awarded 34 $4,000 scholarships to Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf students. In 2015, the Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation and the Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation joined forces to organize Run with Carl. The Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation’s goal is to provide a scholarship for every deserving graduating PVHS senior. In 2015, the foundation awarded 71 scholarships totaling $73,000. The Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation enhances the educational opportunities of students. In 2015, the foundation awarded 31 scholarships to graduating seniors totaling $28,350 and 15 teacher-written classroom grants equaling $25,120.

2016 Run with Carl Information:

Labor Day – Monday, September 5, 2016

Races start at 7:30 a.m. with a kid’s ½ mile and 1-mile Fun Run

Adults race either a 5k or 5 mile.

Course takes the runners through the scenic parks and neighborhoods of Bettendorf, Iowa