Nashville, Tenn. – American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will join the 4th annual Ellie’s Run for Africa as its Master of Ceremonies, Ellie’s Run organizers announced today.

Ellie’s Run For Africa -- a family fun day including a 5K race, a kids’ one mile fun run, outdoor games and African dancing and drumming -- will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tenn.

Since its inception in 2004, Ellie’s Run for Africa (www.elliesrun.org) has raised over $100,000 to provide education and health-related assistance in Kenya and South Africa.

In addition to funds, Ellie’s Run is raising the eyebrows of several, including Doolittle. Doolittle’s involvement in like-minded efforts led organizers to approach her to join the event.

“I am proud of Ellie and excited to be part of raising awareness in my own Nashville community about the needs and culture of Africa,” says Doolittle.

A 1999 graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Doolittle, in partnership with Malaria No More and First Lady Laura Bush, traveled to Zambia in June 2007 to distribute over 500,000 bed nets providing protection from deadly malaria-carrying insects. After returning to the US, Doolittle has remained very involved with Malaria No More by continuing to raise money for MNM’s efforts.

“I am blessed to work with organizations such as Ellie’s Run For Africa and Malaria No More that share my desire to help those who are in desperate need of things we can so easily provide.”

Ellie’s Run Heroes provide children an education

Just $25 a year allows a child to attend school at the Calvary Christian School in Kibera, a slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera is just over one square mile, yet is home to more than 800,000 people. That small cost provides books, uniforms and shoes that children need to enroll.

These simple statistics are the battle cry of the Ellie’s Run Heroes – a group of Nashville children and adults who raise funds for the cause. For the second year in a row, these individuals are challenging their communities to help them put children in school. They commit to raise $250, $500, or $1,000 - which translates to 10, 20, or 40 kids in school. Proceeds from their efforts and the June 14th event will also help build classrooms and laboratories at The New Dawn School, which also serves children in Kibera.

“It’s so easy for a kid like me in America to get simple things like shoes or clothes for school – but it’s so hard for those kids,” says Ellie Ambrose, 14, who founded Ellie’s Run for Africa in 2004.

“I hope what we are doing here in Nashville helps even a little bit.”

Ellie’s Run for Africa and its Heroes Fundraising program is open to anyone wishing to be involved. Local businesses, churches and schools are also donating time and resources to make the event a success.

For more information, to register or to donate, please visit www.elliesrun.org or e-mail info@elliesrun.org.

EVENT INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008

Time: 6:30 a.m. - Registration
7:30 a.m. - 5K Race
8:30 a.m. - Kid’s Run
6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Entertainment, games and refreshments

Location: Percy Warner Park, Cross Country Field
Corner of Hwy 100 and Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, Tenn.

Ellie’s Run for Africa

Ellie’s Run for Africa is the God-given dream of a young American girl to help families and children in Africa. Combining educational efforts in area churches and schools with a 5K run and family fun day, Ellie’s Run for Africa raises awareness of and funding for Africans struggling to meet basic needs such as healthcare, food, water, shelter, clothing, and education.

All proceeds from Ellie’s Run for Africa benefit the ministries and partnerships of African Leadership in Franklin, Tenn.

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Contact: Rachel Matheis

(859) 321-0444