The Track Shack Foundation board of directors recently awarded more than $11,000 in grants to local organizations. The Track Shack Foundation supports charitable causes, in particular, those that benefit youth and athletics programs.

2007 grant recipients for the fourth quarter include:

*Union Park Middle School, Orlando
*Keeth Elementary School, Winter Springs
*Brookshire Elementary, Winter Park
*Bear Lake Elementary, Apopka
*Orlando Wildcats, Inc., Orlando
*Dr. Phillips High School Cross Country, Orlando
*Community and Youth Trust, for Get Active Orlando

These funds will support various community organizations for people as young as 5 and as mature as 95 years old. Thanks to the generosity of the Track Shack Foundation, community initiatives will have financial support to do the following: provide athletic uniforms for students in financial need, purchase equipment for a fast pitch softball team (age 14 and under), grow school cross-country program(s), create a family fitness night, teach children to swim, and continue a senior walking program that is free to seniors at the Mayor William Beardall Senior Center in downtown Orlando,

"It is important to us to contribute to the children of Central Florida," said Betsy Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack and Event Marketing & Management International. "We applaud the groups and individuals in our community that are promoting healthy activities for citizens of all ages."

The Track Shack Foundation grants have exceeded $2 million since 1994. The foundation helps provide health and fitness opportunities through adult training programs and the funding of youth athletic programs. This year, Track Shack, the retail store that founded the Track Shack Foundation, celebrates its 30th anniversary. For more information, please visit www.trackshack.com.

About Track Shack and Event Marketing & Management International

Track Shack of Orlando opened for business in 1977 as a small retail operation that focused primarily on selling running shoes and apparel. Event Marketing & Management International (EMMI), established in 1990 as Track Shack's sister company, is a sports marketing company that specializes in marketing, management and production of active participation events. The mission of EMMI is that each event produced will benefit the entire community - runners, sponsors, and charities. Award-winning professional staff has earned EMMI a reputation as one of America's top sports marketing companies. Jon and Betsy Hughes, co-owners of Track Shack and E.M.M.I., ensure that both businesses support charitable causes, in particular charities that benefit youth and youth athletics. This tradition continues through the creation of Track Shack Foundation in 1994. The Foundation was established as a 501 (c) organization with the purpose of promoting health and fitness with an emphasis on youth programs.