FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bank of America Partners With U.S. Women's Soccer Stars Abby Wambach, Hope
Solo and Alex Morgan to Lead Special Charitable Program During the
34th Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Agreement Highlights Teamwork and First to Feature All Three Players
Charitable Program Will Underscore the Bank of America Chicago Marathon's
Positive Impact on Communities; Additional Details to Be Announced in
August
CHICAGO - Bank of America today announced it has reached an agreement with
U.S. Soccer stars Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan to serve as
spokespeople for a unique charitable program that will play an integral
role in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The program, to be
introduced this summer and culminate on race day, October 9, will make
opportunity possible for nonprofit organizations in Chicago and across the
United States, helping advance their efforts to improving lives and
revitalizing communities. The agreement is the first involving all three
players, who became household names as a result of their outstanding
performances on the world soccer stage over the last month.
"The opportunity to partner with Bank of America and the Chicago Marathon
is a thrill for us," said U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo. "There's going to be
such a tremendous spirit of camaraderie - from the public and private
organizations working together to stage the event to all the athletes and
their supporters pursuing a personal best or advancing a community cause.
It's going to be a great weekend."
Just as the U.S. women's soccer team inspired a nation with its dramatic
comebacks and outstanding teamwork, Bank of America will work with three of
its star players to inspire, through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon,
people in Chicago and throughout the country to work together in order to
create a positive impact in their communities.
"The Bank of America Chicago Marathon touches many people who never lace up
a running shoe because of the funds participants raise for charities each
year, as well as the economic benefit the race brings to the city of
Chicago," said Bank of America Global Strategy and Marketing Officer Anne
Finucane. "It takes a tremendous amount of partnership to make all of that
happen, and right now, nobody better represents the spirit of teamwork than
Abby, Hope and Alex. That's why we are so excited to have the opportunity
to be working with them."
Wambach, Solo and Morgan will announce details of the bank's program this
summer and explain how people can participate. Runners, fans and bank
customers can keep track of updates by "liking" the Bank of America Chicago
Marathon Facebook page (www.facebook.com/chicagomarathon) or on the
Marathon's website, www.chicagomarathon.com.
"This is a program that's all about the benefits of teamwork, and how
people can make opportunity possible in their communities when they pull
together," said Wambach. "That's why it's great that all three of us are
involved. We've proven what can be done when people come together with a
sense of purpose and determination, and speaking on behalf of Hope and
Alex, we're looking forward to highlighting that sense of teamwork and
opportunity at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon."
Wambach, a forward, is one of the all-time leading scorers in international
soccer history and is considered one of the team's emotional leaders. Solo
is only the second U.S. goalkeeper to start more than 100 games in
international competition, and was awarded the "Golden Glove" as the top
goalkeeper in Germany. Morgan, also a forward, is the youngest player on
the team at age 22 and made a name for herself in Germany with a goal and
an assist in the finals against Japan.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 34th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a
world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million
spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year,
the iconic race assists in raising millions for a variety of charitable
causes while generating $150 million in economic impact to its host city
according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's
Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2011 Bank of
America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago's Grant Park
beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 9. In advance of the race, a two-day
Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on
October 7-8.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions,
serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large
corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and
other financial and risk management products and services. The company
provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately
58 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately
5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,800 ATMs and
award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America
is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global
leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range
of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and
individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading
support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of
innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves
clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America
Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial
Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
www.chicagomarathon.com
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