CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (February 28, 2013) – TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank ^® , announced today that The Opportunity Alliance, a Portland, Maine-based nonprofit organization providing community-based and clinical programs to children and families throughout Maine, has been selected as this year’s beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, on Aug. 3.

The Opportunity Alliance ( www.opportunityalliance.org ) is the Community Action Agency for Cumberland County and annually works with more than 20,000 Maine children, youth, adults, and seniors – individuals, families, and communities. Its services and supports address many of the state’s most pressing needs, including mental illness and substance abuse treatment, homelessness prevention, early childhood education and child care, heating assistance, community building, and advocacy.

In 2011, PROP (People’s Regional Opportunity Program) and Youth Alternatives Ingraham unified their missions to form The Opportunity Alliance. The new merged agency continually seeks ways of integrating its many programs with community partners and neighborhood resources to create a collective impact on building stronger communities throughout the state.

“The Opportunity Alliance is making a significant difference in our community by providing Maine children, families and adults with the support they need to better their lives,” said Larry Wold, TD Bank Market President for Maine. “Their programs address the root causes of many of the core issues in our state – from affordable heating oil to early childhood education – and we are honored to name this worthy organization as the beneficiary of the 2013 TD Beach to Beacon.”

The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank ( www.TDBank.com ), will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to The Opportunity Alliance. The organization also will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity through its association with one of Maine’s premiere sporting events.

The TD Charitable Foundation has now donated $480,000 to Maine charities over the 16-year history of the race, while many past beneficiaries continue to raise significant funds each year utilizing race entries allotted to them to the sold-out event. This ongoing additional fundraising opportunity has enabled these non-profits to collectively raise more than $300,000 over the past two years alone, according to a survey by race organizers.

Michael J. Tarpinian, CEO of The Opportunity Alliance, said his organization is honored to join the list of TD Beach to Beacon 10K beneficiaries.

“The foundation of The Opportunity Alliance’s mission is to strengthen the communities where all of us live, work, and raise our children,” Tarpinian said . “ We are honored to be a part of the TD Beach to Beacon tradition with its rich heritage of bringing our entire community together each year to support our friends and neighbors in need.”

A significant amount of the programming offered by The Opportunity Alliance is focused on and/or directly benefits several thousand children, youth, and their families throughout Maine. These programs include:

• Maine Families program – promoting healthy growth and development for babies and young children.
• Children’s Case Management – helping to coordinate and advocate for mental health, educational, legal, financial and supportive services for youth.
• Head Start and Early Head Start – promoting school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
• Homeless Youth Services – providing intensive case management for homeless and street youth, serving boys and girls ages 15 and under.

The Opportunity Alliance is located at 50 Monument Square in Portland with The Opportunity Alliance Family Center at 50 Lydia Lane in South Portland. For more information, contact The Opportunity Alliance at 207-874-1175 or www.opportunityalliance.org.

This year marks the 16 ^th year of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K ( b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com ), set for Saturday, Aug. 3 in Cape Elizabeth. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank ^® , is the title sponsor of the race founded in 1998 by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist from Cape Elizabeth and Maine’s most recognized athlete.

The TD Beach to Beacon 10K is one of the most popular events on the U.S. road race circuit, drawing runners from throughout the region and around the world to the picturesque coastal community of Cape Elizabeth. The race begins near the Crescent Beach entrance on Route 77, winds along tree-lined roads and past breathtaking ocean vistas, and ends in Fort Williams Park at the historic Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

In 2012, a record-setting 6,117 runners from 17 countries, 44 states and more than 240 Maine cities and towns finished the scenic 6.2-mile course. Thousands of spectators cheered running along the route and at the finish, and more than 800 volunteers helped ensure a smooth operation.

Online registration for the popular race begins March 14 for Cape Elizabeth residents, then March 15 for general registration followed by a lottery. More registration information is available at the race website.

In addition to TD Bank, other major corporate partners this year include Hannaford, Nike, Poland Spring, Fairchild Semiconductor, IDEXX, Northeast Delta Dental, MaineHealth and WCSH6. For additional information about the race, visit b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com, and find the TD Beach to Beacon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.