Color races – Mel Foster Co Blog

Mel Foster Co.’s Color The Quads Raises $70,500 For Local Charities

Posted on July 6, 2016

Color the Quads Presents to Charities

Mel Foster Co.’s Color the Quads raised $70,500 for local charities during its fourth and final colorful run on May 21 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Over 1,300 5K participants, 200 children racers, sponsors and volunteers contributed to the cause. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Color the Quads were distributed to local charities. Jordan’s Joy, NAMI – Greater Mississippi Valley and YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln and Youth Solutions received $23,500 each.

Jordan’s Joy board member, Michelle McMullen said, “Thank you all for the incredible experience! Because of Mel Foster’s hard work and determination, the Quad City community has come together once again to help kids and their families in our area. Jordan’s Joy was honored and humbled to be such a special part of it.”

“This was a fantastic opportunity to get the word out about education resources for families living with a serious mental health condition. We are grateful to those persons who voted with their feet to support NAMI,” said Angela Gallagher, executive director, National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Mississippi Valley.

“Mel Foster and Color the Quads have done more than just provide a fun and healthy family event for our community,” said Scott County Family Y CEO Brad Martell. “Because the proceeds benefit YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln and the Solutions Outreach program, hundreds of students and their families will be supported and encouraged to be the next generation of leaders for our community! The effects will impact all of us for years to come!”

The event’s Color Extraordinaire, Color Party, Kid’s Color Dash, Color Explosion and Color Burst sponsors include; Mel Foster Co., XPAC, Tri-City Electric Co., American Bank & Trust, Active Endeavors, Perl Mortgage, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C., Alcoa, Build To Suit, Enviromark, Gomez May Law, Hawkeye Paving Corp., Hy-Vee, KWQC, Mickle Communications, Pear Advertising, Pella Windows & Doors, Quad-City Times, Radon Solutions, Terrostar Interactive Media, TMI – Total Maintenance Inc., Twin Rivers Bank & Trust Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., and Victorystore.com.

“We were amazed once again by the generous support of our sponsors and this community. By raising $254,854 for local charities over Color the Quads’ four-year run, we know we’ve made a positive impact in our community, to strengthen families and support youth. It was a privilege to lead this project during its successful run and we are so proud of what was collectively achieved,” said Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage for Mel Foster Co.

Color the Quads Announces 2016 Charity Recipients

Posted on September 9, 2015

Color the Quads Announces 2016 Charity Recipients

The Mel Foster Co. Color the Quads committee is pleased to announce the charity recipients for the fourth and final Color the Quads race to be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The 2016 charities are Jordan’s Joy, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Greater Mississippi Valley, and YMCA for Camp Abe Lincoln and Youth Solutions Programs. In 2015, the Color the Quads event raised over $73,000 that was distributed to local charities, 3 main charities and 13 other charities, and a similar goal is in place for fundraising in 2016.

Michelle McMullen with Jordan’s Joy said, “Jordan’s Joy is extremely honored to have been selected as a 2016 Color the Quads charity recipient. Jordan’s Joy supports families battling life-threatening illness or facing life-altering events by filling funding gaps for comfort items, meals, gas cards, or medical bills that are not traditionally covered by other charitable sources. We are thrilled to be involved in one of the area’s premier events and look forward to our partnership in 2016!”
“We are grateful that Mel Foster agents and employees continue to support NAMI outreach efforts. Funds raised through Color the Quads will be used to bring even more education to Quad Cities families to effectively support a loved one living with a serious mental health condition,” said Michael Freda, board president, NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley.

“Our community and our YMCA is made healthier and stronger by the volunteers who bring together great people with events like Color The Quads,” said YMCA CEO Brad Martell. “Color The Quads helps more kids, families, adults and seniors have access to healthy programs at the Y.”

Lynsey Engels, president of Mel Foster Co. Brokerage Division and Color the Quads committee chair, said, “We are thrilled to partner with three amazing charities on this colorful community event. We look forward to giving the participants another fun filled day with an exciting race course for 2016!”

The 2016 Color the Quads 5K will take place on Saturday, May 21 near Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa. Registration fees and sign up date will be announced before the end of this year. Stay tuned at www.colorthequads.com for more information.

About Mel Foster Co. Inc.

Mel Foster Co. is a recognized leader for real estate and insurance. Mel Foster Co. Real Estate specializes in residential sales and offers services for a broader spectrum of property transactions including commercial, farm and land, land development and management, relocation and new construction. Founded in 1921, it is one of Iowa’s largest independently owned real estate companies. Mel Foster Insurance was founded in 1932 and represents over 25 insurance carriers and offers coverage for residential and commercial clients.

About Jordan’s Joy

Jordan’s Joy was established in memory of Jordan Schmidt. Jordan was a true hero that passed away at the age of 15 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Though he faced tough battles, his spirit and positive attitude never wavered, and he was an inspiration to all that knew him. The purpose of Jordan’s Joy is to fill the void that a Quad City family may have while battling life-threatening illnesses that cannot be met by other charitable organizations. 100% of the funds raised by Jordan’s Joy stay in the Quad Cities and go to local families, as all operating expenses are donated by a local business.

About NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley

One in 10 children and one in four adults experience a serious mental health condition in any given year. This grassroots organization is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, providing support, education and advocacy to individuals and families living with mental illness. It serves residents in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.

About the Scott County Family Y

The Scott County Family Y has been serving Eastern Iowa since 1858. We build a stronger community through Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Today, we serve 1 out of 3 people in Scott County.

Color The Quads Raises $60,000 For Local Charities

Posted on June 20, 2014

Mel Foster Co.’s Color the Quads raised $60,000 for local charities during its second annual colorful run on May 31 in Bettendorf, Iowa. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the second Color the Quads event went to Child Abuse Council, March of Dimes of the Mississippi Valley and Rick’s House of Hope. Each organization will receive $20,000, thanks to the generosity of over 2,000 participants, 300 children racers and sponsors.

“With one in nine babies born premature in the Quad City area, The March of Dimes of Mississippi Valley wants to thank Mel Foster Co. employees for choosing us a charity of Choice for this year’s Color Run. The money raised will help us get closer to the day when all babies are born healthy,” stated Deena Bradford, Mississippi Valley Division Director of March of Dimes

“The Child Abuse Council was proud to be a charity partner for the Mel Foster Color the Quads. It was a fun and exciting experience for us. It gave our board members, staff and volunteers an unique and energetic way to be engaged in an event; and we valued the increased awareness it brought to child abuse prevention,” mentioned Rondi Doyle, Director of Communications/Special Events.

“Rick’s House of Hope is honored to be part of a fun, colorful event and grateful to be named as a charity recipient. We thank Mel Foster, Co., the sponsors, runners and volunteers, who make this race great. The funds received make our mission possible, to ensure the needs of grieving and traumatized children are not overlooked,” said Emily Gordon, Executive Director of Rick’s House of Hope

The event’s Color Extraordinaire, Color Party, Kid’s Color Dash, Color Explosion and Color Burst sponsors include; Mel Foster Co., XPAC, Tri-City Electric, Eye Surgeons Associates, Orthopaedic Specialists, Gomez May LLP, Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C., Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, Active Endeavors, Build To Suit, Enviromark, Hawkeye Paving Corp., Hy-Vee, KISS-FM, KWQC, Mickle Communications, Pear Advertising, Pella Windows & Doors, Quad-City Times, Radon Solutions, Russell, TMI – Total Maintenance Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., and Victorystore.com.

“We were thrilled once again at the support of our sponsors and this community. The only way to pull an event like this off is because of a collaborative effort by local businesses and individual race participants who see the value in giving back to the community we live and work in,” said Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage for Mel Foster Co.

Mel Foster Co. plans to hold Color the Quads again in 2015 on May 30. For future event updates, go to www.colorthequads.com or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ColorTheQuads.

About Mel Foster Co. Inc.

About Child Abuse Council

The Child Abuse Council is a regional, non-profit agency with over 36 years experience providing child abuse prevention, education and treatment programs for children and families in the bi-state metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Our goals for every child served are (1) a safe and nurturing home; (2) a secure parent-child relationship; and (3) an environment supporting successful growth and development. For more information about the Child Abuse Council, visit www.childabuseqc.org.

About March of Dimes – Mississippi Valley Division

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. March of Dimes of the Mississippi Valley is the local division of March of Dimes which is a voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

About Rick’s House of Hope
Rick’s House of Hope serves children and their families in the Quad Cities who are coping with trauma or loss from the death of a loved one, divorce or other changes in the family. Children participate in age appropriate and developmentally appropriate groups with other children in similar situations combining recreation, play and art as they work through difficult issues. They served over 500 children last year.

Mel Foster’s Color the Quads Registration Opens December 13

Posted on December 5, 2013

Bettendorf, IA – Mel Foster’s Color the Quads 5K and Kids Color Dash will be back in 2014 and registration is opening early to give racers plenty of time to sign up and opportunities to save with early entry.

The Color the Quads 5K will take place Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 4:00 p.m., Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa. The 5K early registration fee is $35 and is available for the first 200 registered participants; $40 for participants 201-500; $45 for participants 501-6,000; and $50 for those numbered 6001 and higher. The registration fee includes race entry, t-shirt, Tri-City Electric Co. after-party admission and swag bag. Registration opens on Friday, December 13 at www.colorthequads.com.

The Eye Surgeons Associates Kids Color Dash cost is $20. This 400-yard dash and one mile fun run is at 11:00 a.m. on May 31, 2014 at the Middle Park Band Shell in Bettendorf. There will be a kids’ after party with food and fun for all the kids participating in the kid’s color dash to enjoy.

Color the Quads is a unique race that allows runners and walkers to get blasted with bursts of color powder on the course. Last year’s Color the Quads sold out with 3,300 racers and the field has been expanded for 2014 to raise more money for local charities.

The 2014 Color the Quads event benefits three local organizations, Child Abuse Council, the local chapter of March of Dimes – Mississippi Valley Division and Rick’s House of Hope. The event brings colorful happiness to our community AND helps out local charities.

Mel Foster Co. is the presenting sponsor. The event’s color explosion sponsors include Gomez May LLC, Orthopaedic Specialists, Smart Toyota of Quad Cities, and Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C. Color Burst sponsors include Active Endeavors, Hawkeye Paving, KISS FM, Pear Advertising, Quad City Times, Radon Solutions, Terrostar Interactive Media, and TMI Total Maintenance Inc. The after party is sponsored by Tri-City Electric Co. and the Kid’s Color Dash is sponsored by Eye Surgeons Associates. The race is still seeking sponsors to help make this race possible.

For more information, to sign up, to volunteer, or to become a sponsor, visit www.colorthequads.com.