How to Apply: Applicants submit just two (2) pages:

Page 1: Single-page Letter of Application
Page 2: One page Explanation on Use of $400
Click to download Application

Submit by Snail Mail:
Send by U.S.Mail to Mark D. French,
Sean’s Run,
96 Metz Road,
Ghent, NY 12075

or e-Mail
(pdf file preferred) to MarkFrench@Fairpoint.net
by December 1, 2007.

Eligible Applicants
Groups that can receive $400 to Plan and Produce their own Battle must be from Columbia, Rensselaer, Greene, Albany, Schenectady, Dutchess, Montgomery, Fulton, or Saratoga County

• School Clubs (Student Council, SADD Chapters, PTA, etc)
  
• Community Based Youth Organizations
  (Scouts, Church groups, 4-H clubs, etc.)

Applicants must commit to producing their own local Preliminary Battle of the Belts for middle school and/or high school-age youth in March or April 2008 and to bringing youth to participate in the World Championship Battle of the Belts at Sean’s Run on April 27, 2008.

See Background Section & www.SeansRun.com about Sean’s Run and Battle of the Belts.

Use of Donation
The $400 donation may be used only to cover costs for:

• Producing your own Preliminary Battle of the Belts for middle school and/or high school-age youth in March or April 2008 (expenses may include such things as awards, t-shirts, etc)
  
• Registering and bringing youth to participate in Sean’s Run on April 27, 2008 ($10 / youth)
  
• Transportation costs (school bus and driver for example) to bring your group to Sean’s Run, arriving by 10:30 AM at Chatham High School to compete in the World Championship Battle of the Belts on April 27, 2008.

When is the money presented?
Winners will get their $400 checks in February 2008. Awards will be announced January 2008. Recipient groups will be introduced during the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Annual Sean’s Run Presented by First Niagara, 11:30 AM, April 27, 2008 at Chatham High School.

Purpose of Donations from Sean’s Run and First Niagara
To help you implement your own Preliminary Battle of the Belts, a fun and exciting way to encourage teens to increase their use of seatbelts, and to register and bring youth to Sean’s Run and participate in the World Championship Battle of the Belts.

Why are Sean’s Run and First Niagara offering these donations?
Because seatbelts save lives! Because too many teens are failing to buckle-up.

And because every now and then a good idea comes along that encourages youth to make good choices. We are willing to provide the funds so you can implement this good idea!

The Battle of the Belts is a fun and easy-to-implement activity to teach middle and high school students about always using their seatbelts. Kids tell us they really like participating in the Battle of the Belts!

It seems like every week we read about teenagers killed in car crashes - car wrecks are the number one cause of death for teens. And nearly 2/3 of those who perish were not using seatbelts!

And why do so many teens fail to buckle up? They have the lamest excuses like, “Nothing’s going to happen to me!” According to a national study conducted by Volkswagen of America, teens need to change their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to using seatbelts.

The fact is that if you can change teens’ attitudes about using car safety belts, you might be saving their lives! Youth experts agree that the most effective way to get a safety message across to a teenager is when the message comes from another teenager. The Battle of the Belts is a fun teenage activity to express the message to other teens about the importance of using seatbelts.

Principals, Youth Program Leaders, Police Officers, STOP DWI Coordinators, Youth Bureau Directors, School Superintendents, SADD advisors, School Resource Officers, teens and parents have told us the Battle of the Belts can increase the use of seatbelts.

What Goes Into Planning and Producing a Battle of the Belts?
It’s very easy to produce your own Battle – and we have a How-To Manual and other information to help you at our website: www.SeansRun.com. Plus, we have a DVD that also explains how to implement a Battle of the Belts.

To receive a free copy of the DVD, contact us by e-mail at MarkFrench@Fairpoint.net

The World Championship Battle of the Belts – High Noon, April 27th!

And the best part is that you can use your Battle to select a team of teenagers who will represent your school or organization and compete at the World Championship Battle of the Belts! We expect dozens of schools and youth organizations will be represented at the World Championships at Sean’s Run, High Noon, April 27, 2008, at Chatham High School.

Note: You will need to arrive at Chatham High School by 10:30 AM on Sunday April 27th to have sufficient time for your group to pick up their bib numbers and goodies packet, sign in at the Battle of Belts Registration Table, warm up and practice buckling in the official event vehicles, and attend the opening ceremony when your group will be introduced at 11:30 AM.

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