Hy-Vee Teams With Pinky Swear Foundation for Kids Triathlons

Hy-Vee Inc. is teaming up again this year with the Pinky Swear Foundation, a national charitable organization that supports children with cancer and their families, to host six kids triathlon fundraising events across the Midwest this summer.

For the second year in a row, this unique partnership will bring Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlons to Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis and the Quad Cities.

Rather than focusing on competition, children at all fitness levels are encouraged to participate in the swim, bike and run events to help raise money for kids with cancer and their families. In many cases, the money raised provides basic needs, such as mortgage and rent, transportation, utilities, gas cards and food, to impacted families.

According to the Pinky Swear Foundation, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 45 minutes in the United States, and one out of 11 families will file for bankruptcy as a result of the diagnoses.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Pinky Swear Foundation to highlight our commitment to health and wellness while also giving back to our communities,” said Ryan Grant, director of sports marketing for the West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee. “The dedication that Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Kids Triathlon participants put into their fundraising and athletic efforts is truly inspiring.”

In 2015, more than 1,900 athletes participated in five events, raising more than $330,000 to help 110 families in need. This year, a sixth event has been added to accommodate increased participation in the Minneapolis area.

More information about the events, including dates, can be found here.

The employee-owned Hy-Vee operates 240 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $9.3 billion annually.