BOSTON, MA, November 23, 2010 — If you are in Boston’s Back Bay at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 11th, you might be lucky enough to catch the holiday charity event of the season — the Eleventh Annual SSRun — a daring dash through Boston’s busiest shopping district by 500 caring men and women wearing only a Speedo-style swimsuit and a Santa hats, all to raise money for charity.

Watch Jon Ianelli Talk About the SSRun on Fox25 Morning News

The SSRun, formerly known as the Santa Speedo Run, is an event conducted by the non-profit organization, SSRunners, Inc., whose mission is to raise money for other Boston-based charities that directly or indirectly benefit children.  The proceeds from this year’s SSRun event will benefit three organizations that are making a huge difference in the lives of youth across Massachusetts, just in time for the holidays.

This year’s charities include the Hospitality Homes, provider of temporary housing in volunteer host homes for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers; Play Ball! Foundation, funders of sports opportunities for Boston middle school students, and Starlight Children’s Foundation, a provider of educational and entertainment programs and services for seriously ill children and their families.

“The SSRun has raised over $640,000 for children’s charities over  the past 10 years. Our runners vary in age from 21 to 70, and include participants that travel from as far away as Nevada and Seattle,” said Jon Ianelli, organizer and founder of the annual event, and a director at Sapient in Boston.  “Last year, the event raised $186,000 for Crossroads for Kids and the Bottom Line. This year we have a new goal — $200,000.”

“We are very grateful to our participants, our corporate sponsors and the many individual volunteers that make this event a success,” continued Ianelli.  “This year we are doing our first online auction, leveraging many of the items donated by sponsors and friends, in an effort to supplement our fundraising efforts.  Starting November 29th, folks can get a headstart on their holiday shopping by bidding on items such as ski packages, sports tickets, airline tickets, artwork and much more.  The online auction site can be found at www.biddingforgood.com/hospitalityhomes/ssrun .

2010 SSRun Details

The run will take place at approximately 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2010.  Runners are invited to a pre-run celebration at 10:00 AM, at Lir Irish Pub & Restaurant located at 903 Boylston Street.  At approximately 1:00 pm, the run begins outside of Lir, proceeds down Boylston Street to Berkeley Street, over to Newbury Street and back up to Gloucester Street, ending at Lir for a post-run celebration.  For more information about the 2010 SSRun or to sponsor a runner or team, please visit www.ssrunners.org.

More About the 2010 SSRun Charities

Starlight Children’s Foundation of New England provides programs and services to seriously ill children and their families. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. By providing a comprehensive menu of outpatient, hospital-based and web programs Starlight provides ongoing support for children and families today and throughout their journey with illness.  For more information about the Starlight Children’s Foundation go to www.starlightnewengland.org or contact Jonelle Prill-Tate at 617-241-9911 or jonelle.prilltate@startlight.org.

The Play Ball! Foundation provides Boston middle school students with a chance to play, and build friendships and character through the lessons of sports – teamwork, communication and discipline. Our mission is to give Boston’s inner city children opportunities to engage in athletic activities that will enhance their physical, social and emotional development. With a single goal of “Getting More Feet on the Field” we work directly with Boston middle schools to understand the needs that our fundraising can address in an easy and timely manner. Play Ball! is growing with the help of our volunteers — young professionals interested in providing their time and resources and with the community of school administrators, coaches, parents and students.  For more information about Play Ball! go to www.playballfoundation.org or contact Pat Arcand at 617-251-7778 or pat@am-pr.com .

Hospitality Homes provides temporary housing in volunteer host homes and other donated accommodations for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers.  Our compassionate response allows families to stay together during a critical time in their lives.  Hosts open their homes to guests providing much needed relief from emotional and financial challenges: bonds are created through compassion, generosity, trust, and with a focus on human connections.  This unique home-away-from-home lodging option has been the solution to the overwhelming need for housing in the Boston medical community since 1983. For more information about Hospitality Homes go to www.hosp.org or contact Shannon Heckethorn at 617.482.4338 or sheckethorn@hosp.org.

“SSRunners, Starlight Foundation, Play Ball! Foundation and Hospitality Homes would like to thank the 2010 SSRun sponsors – Radio 92.9 and The Improper Bostonian – our exclusive radio and print sponsors as well as Atlantic Sportswear, Chipotle Mexican Grill, City Sports, Dr. McGillicuddy’s, Stella Artois, Fuze Infuzed Beverages, Puma, Sapient, Social Boston Sports, Tribal Sun, Muscle Mike and our most gracious host, the Lir Tavern.

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