CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (January 13, 2014) –  The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, announced today that Rippleffect , a Portland-based non-profit youth and community development organization operating outdoor adventure programs, has been selected as the  beneficiary of this year’s TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine on Aug. 2.

Rippleffect ( www.rippleffect.net ) provides Maine youth with opportunities to emerge as leaders among their peers through adventure in outdoor classrooms. The organization, which served 2,500 Maine children in 2013, operates outdoor adventure and experiential education programs in the greater Portland area, out of Cow Island (the organization’s 26-acre island in Casco Bay) and the White Mountains.

“The TD Charitable Foundation is excited to partner with Rippleffect; they are an innovative leadership and confidence-building organization that strengthens communities,” said Larry Wold, TD Bank Market President for Maine. “Their approach – hands-on education in outdoor classrooms – makes learning and growing fun and fulfilling for both children and adults so we are honored to name this tremendous organization as the beneficiary of the 2014 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 Rippleffect. 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 $510,000 to Maine charities over the 17-year history of the TD Beach to Beacon , while many past beneficiaries continue to raise significant funds each year utilizing highly-coveted race entries allotted to them.

Rippleffect Board Chair Katie Fullam Harris said the donation will enable the organization to expand programming and fulfill its mission of “ promoting youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably .”

“It is a tremendous honor for Rippleffect to receive this recognition from the TD Charitable Foundation,” Harris said. “We are excited by the opportunity to be part of a race that embodies the spirit of Maine through its commitment to community. This award will enable Rippleffect to continue our efforts to provide outdoor learning adventures to all Maine children, regardless of economic circumstance.”

Rippleffect students build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.

Rippleffect believes that year round, hands-on education in outdoor classrooms is fundamental to the healthy development of citizens and communities.  Program offerings include:

• Rippleffect Outdoor Leadership Education (ROLE): A multi-week grant funded after-school program that culminates in a wilderness adventure in the White Mountains or Casco Bay.
• Cow Island Environmental Leadership Program (CELP): A four-week overnight program that focuses on environmental education, recreation and community service.
• Rippleffect Treks: Four seasons of high adventure wilderness trips throughout the mountains and bays of the Northeast.
• Aucocisco Day Camps: Week-long summer programs for young adventurers who will explore Cow Island and learn the fundamentals of sea kayaking.
• Classic Cow Camps: Week-long overnight summer programs based out of Cow Island with expeditions to neighboring islands.
• School and Community Programs: Year-round customized programs based on community and team building, environmental education, anti-bullying work, and outdoor leadership.

Rippleffect was founded in 1999 by Ted Regan and Aaron Fredrick after the completion of their sea kayak expedition from Lubec, Maine to Key West, Fla. The journey inspired the creation of an organization that would provide Maine young people with opportunities to explore Casco Bay and the wilderness of the Northeast through adventure and environmental education. This vision led to Rippleffect’s purchase of Cow Island in 2001 with the critical support of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

At the Board’s direction, the current Executive Director Anna Maria Klein Christie and Rippleffect program staff have continued this journey by creating a comprehensive program that now serves more than 3,500 local youth and adults year round.

Rippleffect provides four seasons of community impact through wilderness and experiential education. Also, Christie said, “thanks to the tremendous community support of organizations like TD Bank, scholarships are available to Maine children in need.”

Rippleffect employs more than 40 seasonal staff each year, each with expertise in leadership training, experiential education and adventure recreation. All of its guide staff are, at minimum, Wilderness First Aid certified and trained sea kayak guides. For more information, visitwww.rippleffect.net .

“On behalf of the TD Beach to Beacon Board and Organizing Committee, we congratulate Rippleffect on being chosen the 2014 race beneficiary,” said Michael Stone, the newly appointed race president. “Rippleffect is making a significant impact connecting young people in Maine to the natural world around them, supporting diversity and promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit. It’s a vision that we share and we look forward to highlighting Rippleffect’s efforts.”

This year marks the 17th running of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K ( b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com ), set for Saturday, Aug. 2 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 2013, a record-setting 6,244­­­­­­ runners from 16 countries, 39 states and more than 250 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, which traditionally closes within minutes, will take place in mid-March. Specific registration information will be released soon.

In addition to TD Bank, other major corporate partners 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.

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Photos courtesy of Rippleffect