By Kim Ward, Communications

You are probably familiar with a 5K Run/Walk. They happen regularly here in the Capitol city. But on May 30, 2015, runners and walkers will have to go the extra distance for the SMART 5.29K Run/Walk.

Sponsored by the Treasurers’ Office, the SMART 5.29K Run/Walk will raise money to establish SMART529 College Savings Plans for children recently adopted out of the foster care system in West Virginia. National statistics show less than 3 percent of kids who grow up in the foster care system go on to obtain a college degree. When a foster child is adopted into a loving family, his/her fresh start can also include a brighter future through higher education. The SMART 5.29K Run/Walk will directly benefit children adopted from foster care in West Virginia by assisting with their future educational expenses. All proceeds from the 5.29K registration*, minus a $3.00 race fee, will be deposited into SMART529 College Savings Accounts. The accounts will be awarded through a selection process administered by frameworks and Mission WV.

So, why a 5.29K? A 529 College Savings Plan is a tax-advantaged investment plan designed to encourage saving for higher education expenses. The plans are named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and administered by state agencies and organizations. West Virginia’s plan, SMART529, is administered by the State Treasurer’s Office. Each year on May 29^th (5.29) Treasurer Perdue and State Treasurer’s around the nation join the College Savings Plan Network in celebrating “529 College Savings Day” to increase awareness among West Virginia families about the importance of saving for your children’s higher education expenses.

You can join our 5.29 Day celebration this year with an ice cream social from 4-6pm on Friday, May 29^th at Capitol Market in Charleston. Visit the SMART529 booth to pick up a free voucher for Ellen’s ice cream (redeemable at time of event only.) Packet pick-up for Saturday’s 5.29K Run/Walk will also be available at this time.

The celebration will continue bright and early on Saturday morning. Pre-race registration for the SMART 5.29K Run/Walk will be open at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Charleston Area Alliance on Smith Street. The race will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., with the start/finish line at the Charleston Area Alliance on Smith Street. Following the race, be sure to drop by Capitol Market to visit our sponsors and learn more about frameworks and Mission West Virginia.

Ready to join the SMART 5.29K Run/Walk to benefit frameworks and Mission West Virginia? Click here to register! You’ll need to register early to receive your race day t-shirt.

*The $3.00 race fee is already calculated in the race registration price listed.

Learn more about Mission West Virginia and the frameworks program: www.missionwv.org