Foundation announces biannual grant to be awarded in name of 2008 Olympic sprinter and Saucony athlete Wallace Spearmon, Jr. to support track and field programs benefiting at-risk youth

Wallace Spearmon at 2009 World Outdoor Championships

LEXINGTON, MA – March 3, 2010 – The Saucony Run For Good^sm Foundation, established to help combat childhood obesity by providing financial support to community-based youth running programs, has announced its latest round of grant winners. The nine grant recipients include organizations from Greenville, Michigan to Greenville, South Carolina, and New Hampshire to Washington, a state with nearly the highest rate of obese children (21%) in the country.

In a recent press conference, First Lady Michelle Obama said the fight against childhood obesity is “absolutely vital”. She revealed the sad statistics: “Nearly one in three of our children in this country is overweight or obese. One in three kids today will eventually develop diabetes-and in the African-American and Hispanic communities the number is nearly half.”

Saucony’s Run for Goodsm Foundation continues to combat these startling childhood obesity rates. Since the program’s 2006 launch, Saucony Run for Goodsm has given more than half a million dollars to nearly 60 organizations nationwide, all to promote running as part of a healthy, active lifestyle-for life.

“Obesity and other health concerns have grown to pandemic levels in children, with lack of physical activity, poor dietary habits, and lack of nutrition education to blame,” said Richie Woodworth, president of the Saucony Run for Goodsm Board of Directors and of Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (PSS) and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel. “Saucony launched the Run for Goodsm Foundation to help communities build local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to get running and to live and maintain healthier lives.”

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation also announced that biannually, a Run For Good grant will be made in the name of 2008 Olympic sprinter and Saucony athlete Wallace Spearmon, Jr. to be awarded to community organizations that support opportunities for at-risk youth to participate in track and field. The inaugural grant was awarded as part of the latest round to Boston-based Youth Enrichment Services (YES) to support a year-round, inter-neighborhood track and field program that will reach out to more than 1,500 inner-city youth participants.

A recent article in USA Today highlights physical fitness as the key means to fighting childhood obesity: “Many exercise experts believe children today are too sedentary, which contributes to excess weight in one-third of children in the USA. The government’s physical activity guidelines recommend that children and teens do an hour or more of moderate-intensity to vigorous activity a day.”

“With obesity on the rise, we all agree that kids are in dire need of more active lifestyles,” said Susan K. Hartman, associate publisher of Runner’s World magazine and a member of the Saucony Run for Goodsm Foundation Board of Directors. “The Saucony Run for Goodsm Foundation inspires and supports entire communities to promote and encourage healthier lifestyles for happier, fuller lives,” she said.

The following organizations have been selected to receive a Saucony Run for Good^sm Foundation grant:

Active4Youth, Spokane, WA

Active4Youth is a volunteer-run community organization striving to revitalize after-school sports for elementary-aged children in Spokane Public Schools, starting with the most popular sport: Cross Country. Active4Youth will use the funds to support the second season of the cross-country program established last year at all 34 elementary schools in the district. The program focuses on teaching kids how to enjoy physical activity while balancing nutrition, sleep and hydration. www.active4youth.com

Central Virginia YMCA, Lynchburg, VA

For over 150 years, the YMCA of Central Virginia has been at the heart of the community in the greater Lynchburg area. It has encouraged the healthy development of children and teens, strengthened families and made the Lynchburg area a healthier, safer and better place to live. The Central Virginia YMCA will use the grant money to add the “Run for a Reason” program to 14 area-wide schools. This program will teach kids how to have fun while exercising and how to eat healthier. www.lynchburgymca.com

Greenville Track Club, Greenville, SC

The goal of the Greenville Track Club is to serve the community through running. Most Greenville Track Club events include races and programs for children to establish year-round wellness and lifelong healthy lifestyle habits. With the grant money, Greenville Track Club will provide assistance for 50-100 children to run regularly and ultimately participate in a 5K run. The grant will target underserved populations and provide these children with group training and running gear. www.greenvilletrackclub.com

Greenville Public Schools, Greenville, MI

The Greenville Public Schools formed a district-wide Wellness Team in 2005. Brought together as a result of a Federal mandate to develop a school wellness policy, one key goal of the Wellness Team is to continually provide opportunities for students to participate in after-school exercise. With the grant money, the Wellness Team will expand a pilot program running club to target over 700 students. http://www.greenville.k12.mi.us/

Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Kent, WA

The City Of Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department plans and provides meaningful community sports and recreation programming. The grant money will fund a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to kids that cannot afford the registration fee for the community track team. Over half of the students are minorities. www.kentparksandrec.com/

Manchester Marathon Association (MMA), Manchester, NH

MMA is a small non-profit focused on promoting health, well-being and fitness in the community by organizing high-quality running events for all ages. Funding will enable MMA to purchase running shoes for participants in a variety of running programs. The programs are both school and community based, incorporate primarily low-income schools, and aim to teach kids the healthy habits of running and/or walking for physical fitness and well-being. www.manchestercitymarathon.com

Sports4Kids/Playworks, Milpitas, CA

The Sports4Kids/Playworks seeks to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. With the grant money, Sports4Kids/Playworks will expand their running club to 24 low-income elementary schools. Full-time onsite coordinators will implement structured recess, physical activity classes, youth leadership, an afterschool program and developmental sports leagues. www.playworksusa.com

The Children’s Aid Society, New York, NY

For over 155 years, The Children’s Aid Society has worked at the frontlines to provide New York City’s most vulnerable children with the care they need to be safe and healthy and continue on a positive pathway to adulthood. With the grant money, The Children’s Aid Society will implement a running club at two sites. Over six weeks and 18 sessions, thirty 7-17-year-olds will participate in a regimented program that consists of intensive walking/running training, self-esteem building and leadership development. www.childrensaidsociety.org

Youth Enrichment Services (YES), Boston, MA

(Wallace Spearmon, Jr. Run For Good Grant)

As a leading youth organization in Boston, YES enables underserved, at-risk youth to take positive risks through a continuum of opportunities for participation. With the grant money, YES will expand a year-round track and field program for children 18 and under and provide additional opportunities for youth from which to benefit. www.yeskids.org

For grant applications and more information on how the Saucony Run for Goodsm Foundation can help kids in local communities nationwide (maybe yours!), please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com

Saucony Has Contributed Half a Million Dollars and Works to Run Childhood Obesity Off the Map

LEXINGTON, MA — September 22, 2009 — The Saucony Run for Good^sm Foundation, established to help combat childhood obesity by providing financial support to community-based youth running programs, has announced its latest round of grant winners. The seven grant recipients include organizations from Missouri, Maine, and Mississippi, a state with the highest rate of obese and overweight children (44.4%) in the country.

Since the program’s 2006 launch, the Saucony Run for Good Foundation
has given more than $500,000 in grants to more than 50 organizations nationwide—all dedicated to promoting the sport of running as part of a healthy, active lifestyle among children.

“Obesity and other health concerns have grown to pandemic levels in children, with lack of physical activity, poor dietary habits, and inadequate nutrition education driving this crisis,” said Richie Woodworth, president of the Saucony Run for Goodsm Foundation Board of Directors and of Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel. “Saucony launched the Run for Goodsm Foundation to help communities build strong local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to get running and to live and maintain healthier lives.”

The percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2009, a report released in July 2009 by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition,
adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year.

“With obesity on the rise, we all agree that kids are in dire need of more active lifestyles,” said Susan K. Hartman, associate publisher of Runner’s World magazine and a member of the Saucony Run for Goodsm Foundation Board of Directors. “The Saucony Run for Goodsm Program inspires and supports entire communities to promote and encourage healthier lifestyles for happier, fuller lives,” she said.

The recipients of the Saucony Run for Good^sm Foundation grants range from start-up programs looking to institute community running clubs, to well-attended existing programs that require additional funds to continue to foster growth in their organization. The primary goal for all grant recipients is to promote running as a critical part of healthy lifestyles among children.

The following organizations have been selected to receive a Saucony Run for Good^sm Foundation grant:

Broadreach Family & Community Services, Belfast, ME

Broadreach Family & Community Services is a non-profit agency that develops and delivers programs that support children, youth, and families. The agency’s Youthlinks program helps over 300 Maine-based youth each year. The grant will support Youthlinks’ Run-A-Hound Outing Club, an innovative after-school pilot program for 11 to 17 year-olds. Run-A-Hound will provide 66 area-youth with a program that integrates regular recreational running with a community service animal care program. www.broadreachmaine.org

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) is the only full-service hospital in the Cincinnati area dedicated to children’s health. CCHMC started HealthWorks!, a weight management program for obese youth as part of the Heart Institute of CCHMC. The grant will be used to create and support HealthWorks! “Steps Out”, a comprehensive program designed to improve fitness for obese youth via walking and running. www.cincinnatichildrens.org

Kids in Training, Inc., Cary, NC

Kids in Training (KIT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to permanently change the unhealthy lifestyles of children and their families using sound nutrition and fitness education. KIT produces events to inspire outdoor activity and helps families incorporate better nutrition and fitness habits into their lifestyle. The grant will be used to provide financial assistance for lower-income families who cannot otherwise afford KIT’s program fees. www.kidsintraining.com

North Country Supervisory Union, Newport, VT

The North Country Supervisory Union establishes after-school programs that focus on physical fitness and nutrition so children can make healthy choices from childhood onward. The grant will be used to support a new after-school program called “Fleet Feet”, a fitness program incorporating running, walking and hiking. Children will use pedometers to track the distances they travel each and every day. www.northcountryschools.org

The Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club, Kosciusko, MS

The Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club is funded through the vision and generosity of Oprah Winfrey. The club strives to offer Kosciusko a safe haven for children, while providing the community with tools for making positive life choices. The grant will help develop and implement “Run for Your Life,” a health awareness and fitness program that fits members’ needs by addressing and improving health and fitness habits through nutrition and exercise education and practice. www.bgcattala.org

Paris-Bourbon County YMCA, Paris, KY

The Paris-Bourbon County YMCA’s board and staff are devoted to educating more people about the benefits of leading a healthier lifestyle. Short and long-term goals include addressing the needs of childhood obesity and inactivity. The grant will be used to create The Strong Kids Running Club, a mileage-based program promoting running to 7-to-14-year-olds. www.parisbourbonymca.org

Score 1 for Health, Kansas City, MO

Score 1 for Health is a non-profit organization that administers free, comprehensive health screenings to elementary-aged children living in Kansas City’s urban core. The grant will be used to support a comprehensive, school-based intervention by medical students who will teach students about nutrition and expose them to running as a healthy lifestyle choice. http://www.kcumb.edu/score1/

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com

Latest Round of Grant Winners to Join in Promoting Running Among Children for a Healthy Lifestyle

From East to West, Saucony Continues to Run Childhood Obesity Off the Map

LEXINGTON, MA — March 25, 2009 — The Saucony Run for Good Foundationsm, established to help combat childhood obesity by providing financial support to community-based youth running programs, has announced its latest round of grant winners. The seven grant recipients include organizations from Massachusetts to California, as well as Kentucky, a state with one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the country. Since the Foundation’s 2006 launch, 50 organizations nationwide have been recipients of Saucony Run for Good grants totaling nearly $450,000 – all dedicated to promoting the sport of running as a part of a healthy, active lifestyle.

“On behalf of the Run for Good Foundation’s board, I am excited to announce the organizations that have been selected to receive a Run for Good grant,” said Richie Woodworth, president of the Saucony Run for Good Board of Directors and of Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (PSS) and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel. “Childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate. With funding for physical education programs on the decline, Saucony launched the Run for Good Foundation to help communities build local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to get running and to live and maintain healthier lives.”

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years and nearly 25 million children are overweight or on the brink of becoming overweight.

A recently released report from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Poll on Children’s Health at University of Michigan now ranks childhood obesity as the number one health concern for kids among adults, moving up from third place in a similar report released in 2007.

“With childhood obesity on the rise, we all agree that kids are in dire need of more active lifestyles,” said Susan K. Hartman, associate publisher of Runner’s World magazine and a member of the Saucony Run for Good Board of Directors. “The Saucony Run for Good Foundation inspires and supports entire communities of children to lead healthier lifestyles for happier, fuller lives,” she said.

“As a company by runners and for runners, we strive to share our passion for activity such as running or walking as a core part of a healthy lifestyle with all of today’s youth,” added Woodworth.

The recipients of these grants range from start-up programs looking to institute community running clubs, to well-attended existing programs that require additional funds to continue to foster growth in their organization. The primary goal for all is to promote running as a critical part of healthy lifestyles among children.

The following organizations have been selected to receive a Saucony Run For Good grant:

Cabot Country Cruisers, Cabot, Arizona

The Cabot Country Cruisers are responsible for creating the 26.2 Inspiration Run, a marathon stopping at every school in the community of Cabot, AZ in an effort to spread the word about health and exercise to children. To date, the run has been completely organized and executed by parent and teacher volunteers. The grant will continue the community’s efforts to increase participation expand the scope of the marathon and expose even more children to the fun and health benefits running provides.
www.cabotcountrycruisers.com

City Parks Foundation, New York, New York

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is an independent, non-profit organization that
produces free, high-quality parks programs, particularly in under-served neighborhoods. The grant will support the City Parks Track & Field program in summer 2009, providing 1,600 kids in New York City with a high-quality track and field program right in their own local public park. Children participate in six weeks of track and field lessons, held twice each week, culminating in an end-of-season track meet. Lessons and use of equipment are provided free-of-charge.
www.cityparksfoundation.org

East Bay Agency for Children, Oakland, California

East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC) is dedicated to assuring the health and educational well-being of children and families through specialized therapeutic, educational and peer support. The community agency will use the grant to launch a Girls’ Running Group in the 2008-2009 school year as part of an after-school enrichment program. Each class session will consist of a nutrition lesson and healthy snack. Following the lesson and snack, students will participate in running and team building activities to ultimately encourage running, promote active lifestyles, nutritional awareness and overall positive self-image.
www.ebac.org

Maryhurst Agency, Louisville, Kentucky

Maryhurst works with children from all over the state of Kentucky, providing
a wide array of services, including residential care, group homes, foster care, adoption, and after-school programs. As part of the services it provides, Maryhurst is committed to educating children about the physical and mental health benefits of physical fitness. The grant money will be used to support these efforts, primarily helping the agency purchase new running shoes and equipment for its children.
www.maryhurst.org

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, Mishawaka, Indiana

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is a school district with a vested interest in educating students on physical fitness. The grant will ease hundreds of students at eleven different elementary schools into running as a form of fun physical fitness. Running will be taught in the physical education classroom at these schools. There will then be a school district-wide mock to prime students for participation in the Silver Mile 5K Walk/Run for Education, a fun, family-friendly event for the entire community.
www.phm.k12.in.us/

Salt Lake City Track Club, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Salt Lake City Track Club (SLCTC) was founded over 30 years ago as a vehicle for individuals to get together and participate in the sport of distance running. The club pays special attention to children, aiming to provide a fun and healthy recreational outlet for kids who normally would not have the resources to participate in a formalized program. The grant will support weekly running events and help SLCTC purchase running shoes for all participants. Since SLCTC focuses on underprivileged children, participating families often do not have the disposable income to afford running equipment.
www.slctrackclub.org

Sports4Kids, Boston, Massachusetts

Sports4Kids seeks to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. The grant money will enable Sports4Kids to engage over 2,250 students from 32 low-income elementary schools across Boston, Cambridge and Somerville in structured after-school and recess-based running clubs in the 2009-2010 school year.
www.sports4kids.org

For grant applications and more information on how the Saucony Run for Good Foundation can help kids in local communities nationwide, visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com

From North Pole, Alaska to New York City, Saucony Continues
to Run Down Childhood Obesity

Lexington, MA (January 17, 2008) – During the winter, temperatures in North Pole, Alaska can plummet to 40 below zero and with a daily average of only four hours of daylight, its more than a challenge for the kids of the “The Last Frontier” to stay active. Over 4,000 miles away in New York City, disabled children living in low-income area neighborhoods dream about running a marathon, or for some, just completing a lap of a track. There may be a great distance between these two groups of children, but they share a common ground: They make up the most inactive generation in our nation’s history.

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation, established to help end childhood obesity by providing financial support to nonprofits that support children’s running and fitness programs, today announced its latest round of grant winners. “On behalf of the Foundation’s board, I am excited to announce that eight more organizations nationwide have been selected to receive a Run For Good grant,” said Richie Woodworth, President of the Saucony Run For Good Board of Directors and of Saucony, Inc. “While childhood obesity is not going to disappear overnight, these grants allow us to help communities build local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to live healthier lives.”

According to the National Obesity Association, today’s youth are considered the most inactive generation in history. Additionally, research from the Centers for Disease Control shows childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last two decades and over

nine million American children are now estimated to be obese. With funding for physical education programs also on the decline, Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, launched the Saucony Run For Good Foundation. Since the Foundation’s 2006 launch, 35 organizations nationwide have been recipients of Saucony Run For Good grants totaling over $300,000.

“Everyone agrees kids are in dire need of a more active lifestyle,” said Susan K. Hartman, Associate Publisher of Runner’s World magazine and a member of the Saucony Run For Good Board of Directors. “With childhood obesity on the rise, the Saucony Run For Good Foundation is taking action, encouraging kids to lead healthier lifestyles for ultimately happier lives,” she added.

“As a company by and for runners, we want to promote the advantages to living a healthy and active life, and by supporting these organizations we are able to make an impact in children’s lives,” said Woodworth.

The recipients of these grants range from start-up programs looking to institute community running clubs, to well attended existing programs that require additional funds to continue to foster growth in their organization. The primary goal for all is to maximize the use of running to promote healthy lifestyles in children.

The following organizations have been selected to receive a Saucony Run For Good grant:

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, North Pole, Alaska

The Fairbanks school district wants to expand their running program into the North Pole area schools. There will be a winter program, using the school hallways for running due to the extreme Alaskan winters; a fall program of cross-country running; and a spring/summer program coordinated by a running coach. The grant will be used to support much needed personnel, program supplies and busing costs to cross-country practices and meets.

Achilles Track Club, New York, New York

The mission of the track club is to enable people with all disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics. Achilles Kids was established in 1995 as a running program for primary and secondary students in low-income neighborhoods in the New York City area. The grant will be used to expand the kids’ program to serve at least 150 schools in the New York City area. A 26.2 mile “virtual marathon” will be conducted during workouts at schools during the week, with the distance of each student’s run recorded. At the end of the school year, the children who complete the virtual marathon will receive new running shoes as awards.

Trousdale County Elementary School, Hartsville, Tennessee

This has been the only elementary school in Hartsville/Trousdale County for almost 40 years. Due to its rural nature, fitness options are at a minimum and the limited sidewalks throughout the area make running dangerous. The elementary school will use the funds to implement a running program called the Mileage Club, with students receiving motivational awards as they ultimately reach 26.2 miles. The grant will also be used to install a track for the school, creating a safe place to run.

The Nutrition Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Council has partnered with the Flying Pig Marathon, to launch the Flying Piglet Kids Marathon, an incremental marathon program in which kids can walk, run or wheelchair the distance of a marathon over the course of three months. They are also taught healthy eating habits and are awarded nutrition miles for making healthy eating decisions. The final mile of the marathon can be completed in The Flying Pig Kids One Mile Finish, giving kids the opportunity to finish their mileage on the actual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Finish line. The grant will be used for t-shirts, medals and race support.

Maricopa Council on Youth Sports & Physical Activity, Phoenix, Arizona

The Council, originally founded to respond to childhood obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition, will use the grant to expand an existing running program to include 30 minutes of activity per day for local Native American children of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community, taking place at the Boys and Girls Club, a small one-room clubhouse located on the reservation.

Outdoor Industry Foundation, Boulder, Colorado

The Foundation was established by the Outdoor Industry Association in 2003, with the mission to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. The funds will be used to expand their Teens Outside™ program, a locally sustainable nationally replicable program, from 21 communities to 100 in 2008 with the development of a curriculum focusing on adventure racing and trail running.

Ellsworth School Eagles Fitness Pledge Runners, Naperville, Illinois

The demographics of students at the Ellsworth Elementary School–low-income and ethnic minority–have made obstacles to physical activity more challenging. During the first week of school the children participated in a pledge to exercise and eat right, which extended to their families as well. The funding will be used to create an intramural running group for grades K-6, with the goal to participate in a running race. Materials will include logbooks, neighborhood distance maps, awards, race entry fees, and t-shirts.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis, Ogden, Utah

The Boys & Girls Club of Weber-Davis in Ogden plans to establish running clubs in their community for children 6-9 and 10-14. The program will incorporate initial and concluding fitness tests and utilize an “outcomes” model to assess effectiveness. The program will require strength and aerobic exercise at least three times per week. Funding will be used toward salaries, program supplies and equipment.

The Saucony Run For Good grant program is just one part of the Saucony Run For Good Foundation. The Foundation’s other initiative includes the Saucony Run For Good Red Laces™ Program. Saucony sells signature Red Laces (for $1.00) at running events nationwide with proceeds supporting the Run For Good Foundation.

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com

Grassroots Running Programs Across the Country Recognized For Giving Kids a Running Start to Good Health

Lexington, MA (July 17, 2007) – Children are now facing one of the most important challenges of their lives: adopting a healthy lifestyle that will provide the foundation for a healthy future.

According to the National Obesity Association, today’s youth are considered the most inactive generation in history.  Additionally research from the Centers for Disease Control shows childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last two decades and over 9 million American children are now estimated to be obese. With funding for physical education programs also on the decline, Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR), and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, has taken the fight against childhood obesity on and is pleased to announce its latest Saucony Run For Good Program grant winners.

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation gives kids across the country a running start to a lifetime of good health through community-based programs that support youth-oriented running and fitness activities. For the first time in over 100 years, the lifespan of children is now shorter than their parents. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits are to blame. As the running industry continues to grow by all measures, Saucony is committed to cultivating a new wave of younger -
runners while at the same time addressing the national epidemic in childhood obesity.

The benefits of running not only provide better health, but research also shows that running helps children achieve better grades and even manage stress. “As a company by and for runners, we want to promote the advantages to living a healthy and active life, and by supporting these organizations we are able to make an impact in children’s lives,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony.

“While childhood obesity is not going to disappear overnight, these grants allow us to help communities build local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to live healthier lives.”

The recipients of these grants range from start up programs looking to institute community running clubs, to well attended existing programs that require additional funds to continue to foster growth in their organization. The primary goal for all is to maximize the use of running to promote healthy lifestyles in children.

Operation Better Start, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

This nationally recognized nutrition, health and activity program from Berkshire Health is already in its ninth year. In conjunction with the Pittsfield YMCA, it will provide recess and after school run/walk programs to public elementary schools in the Pittsfield school district.  The grant will be used to help provide equipment and personnel, including a weekly presentation by a registered dietitian at eight participating schools.

Footsteps to Fitness, Spartanburg, South Carolina

This YMCA-based program has been steadily growing over the past 10 years.  The program is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in the Spartanburg County.  Each school has a running club that meets three or four times a week.  An incentive system is in place for both special-event runs and after-school sessions.  The 1,500 participating students are pre-tested and post-tested to document their progress.  The funds are needed to support program materials and incentives for the children.

Crim Youth Program, Flint, Michigan

This program delivers the educational tools necessary for schools to implement physical activity offerings for their students, including a “Feelin’ Good Mileage Club” that motivates students to run and walk more.  In addition to the support of 45 school programs, they coordinate local summer running clubs and targeted events, such as the Crim Kids Invitational and Crim Kids Classic.  The grant will be used to support much-needed personnel within the urban elementary-school system.

TOUR deCATUR—Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur, Georgia

This Foundation currently holds an annual 5-K race and one-mile fun run called the TOUR deCATUR.  Track clubs were created for grades K to three at the local schools so that kids could run together, learn how to stretch, and run safely.  The program culminates with the opportunity to participate in the TOUR deCATUR.  More than 300 children under age 12 participated this year.  The funds will help to expand the program to the fourth and fifth grades.

Perry Central, Run for Good, Leopold, Indiana

Perry Central is located at the center of a rural and somewhat isolated community.  Their goal is to provide activities for students and their families.  The have already successfully launched a cross-country program for students in grades seven to twelve under the direction of a local track coach.  The grant will help to expand the program, which will include after-school running, a summer running club, field trips to the Hoosier National Forest, and mini cross-country meets.

Johnson Country Park and Recreation District, Merriam, Kansas

The Children’s Service Department of Merriam has a school age care and enrichment program that is attended by 1,500 children.  Current plans are to create a year-round running club, featuring group runs and nutritional education.  Children will also be encouraged to participate in the Annual Kids Klassic Run, which is designed to raise money for the Jordan Lee Brooks Scholarship Fund, whose proceeds help make participation affordable to all children.

The Saucony Run For Good Grant program is just one part of the Saucony Run For Good Foundation.  The Foundation’s other initiatives include fun runs at local specialty retail events and the Saucony Run For Good Red Laces Program.

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com

Governor Deval L. Patrick Declares Monday, April 9, 2007 “Run For Good Day”
In The Commonwealth

LEXINGTON, MA (April 9, 2007) – At a time when childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate, children are now facing one of the most important challenges of their lives: embracing a fit lifestyle that will provide the foundation for a healthy future. The Saucony Run For Good^TM Foundation joined Governor Deval Patrick in tackling this issue head on as he proclaimed Monday, April 9, 2007 as “Run For Good Day” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To mark the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray joined the Saucony Run For Good Foundation as they presented a $10,000 Saucony Run For Good grant to the locally-based DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation’s TREK USA East Coast Relay at the Massachusetts State House.

Millions of U.S. youngsters are overweight and an estimated 17 percent are obese (Centers
For Disease Control and Prevention). According to the Massachusetts Public Health Association, 29 percent of Bay State children are overweight or obese, and their rate of obesity has more than doubled in the past two decades. Even more alarmingly, overweight children and adolescents have an approximately 70 percent chance of becoming overweight adults (American Heart Association).

“The future of the Commonwealth lies within our youngsters. The work of the Saucony Run For Good Foundation reflects the state’s commitment to encourage kids to get moving and stay fit,”
said Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, who delivered the “Run For Good Day”        proclamation at the event.  “Increased physical activity is paramount to stemming the tide of childhood obesity in Massachusetts’ children and youth”.

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation was created to address the growing epidemic of childhood obesity by offering financial support to nonprofit organizations that initiate and support running and fitness programs for children.

“As a company by and for runners, we are committed to helping organizations like Dave McGillivray’s Massachusetts-based TREK USA East Coast Relay that so closely identifies with our Foundation’s mission,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony and the Saucony Run For Good Foundation Board of Directors. “We know we can’t solve the epidemic that impacts children, both here in the Commonwealth and across the nation, on our own. The Saucony Run For Good Foundation hopes that our grants will make a difference for these programs and the children that they serve, and will help reverse the alarming trend of childhood obesity.”

On April 18, 2007, TREK USA East Coast Relay will begin a 1,568 mile relay run from Boston, MA to Florida to raise funds for the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation. The DMSE Foundation, founded by Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, works to promote youth fitness and supports programs that address the rise in child obesity and diabetes. The TREK School Program involves thousands of children throughout New England and from across the country.

“The DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation was born out of Dave McGillivray’s life-long commitment to promoting physical fitness for our nation’s youth,“  said DMSE Foundation Managing Director Billy Sheehan, who is also a TREK relay runner. “TREK USA events are an opportunity to showcase healthy role models for our children, and a nationwide invitation to support our position that a future of obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease for America’s children is unacceptable.”

On hand to celebrate the Saucony Run For Good grant presentation were students from the Dennis C. Haley Elementary School of Roslindale, Massachusetts. The school will be piloting a fitness grant program supported by the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation next fall.

Fitness tips that local community groups, parents and kids can follow to help them in averting or
overcoming childhood obesity can be found on the Saucony Run For Good website at
www.sauconyrunforgood.com.  In addition, consumers can help raise funds for the Saucony Run For Good Foundation, and generate awareness in the fight against childhood obesity, by purchasing a pair of Saucony Run For Good signature Red Laces at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street, Boston, on April 13th-15th (2007), and at all Marathon Sports retail locations in Massachusetts.

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com