BiG Cardio returns on Saturday, May 6 celebrating its 10th anniversary and organizers say it will be better than ever. Produced by BiG Children’s Foundation (BCF), a non-profit organization that provides opportunity and support for at-risk youth, the annual BiG Cardio is a unique blend of all things fitness, sports, cycle and fun. With 10 fitness activities and sports to choose from, and dozens of other attractions, it’s become one of South Florida’s favorite events.

Setting it apart from other events BiG Cardio is designed to make fitness a fun activity for everyone at every age. “Perfect for the entire family” said BiG Cardio Executive Producer, Joyce Feldman. “This was the vision from its inception in 2008. The intention was to be innovative and continually add new activity segments and attract multiple communities of people simultaneously. My heart was to utilize BiG Cardio as a community platform to advocate for children and youth in crisis or at-risk, and generate awareness and revenue.”

BiG Cardio boasts Soccer Tournaments run by Kaptiva Sports and youth soccer clinics run by FCBESCOLA Soccer School. In addition, there is a CEO Challenge that participants won’t want to miss and a few new surprises that you’ll just have to stay tuned in to find out.

BiG Cardio is about raising awareness and much needed funding to create change in the lives of young people in crisis and at-risk in our own community.

“Children are our future. We are committed to developing the programs that lead young people to positively change their lives – programs that give them the confidence, knowledge and tools to succeed,” said BCF Board Member, John Marley. “We will either pay later if they choose a life of crime to survive, or we can choose to pay now—with our love, time and resources. We want to invest in them now!”

Proceeds from the event benefit BCF’s programs, which support kids in the foster care system preparing to age-out, those who have aged-out, at-risk youth and victims of human trafficking.

 

What makes BiG Cardio unique

If you take a look on a weekend race calendar, you’ll find an average of 5 – 8 events on any given weekend in South Florida. But BiG Cardio is unlike any of them because it ties together multiple activities and extends well into the afternoon for those playing in the soccer, volleyball and basketball tournaments (as well as anyone who wants to hang out and enjoy a day at the park). BiG Cardio is truly the best bang for the $30-buck registration fee you can find.

 

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved. While you can register for the 5K Run/Walk, fitness activities and sports tourneys, you don’t have to be the sports sort or a fitness fanatic to make a BiG impact in our community.  Show up for the event (and bring some friends) or sign up to volunteer — plenty of help is needed to pull off this event — or consider financially supporting BiG Cardio by sponsoring a participant through their individual fundraising page or making a general donation at BiGCardio.org.

 

Calling all companies

“It’s very important for corporations to be involved in the community. Ryder has been around for a very long time and we have a strong history of being involved in the South Florida community. Over the past few years, we’ve expanded our partnership with BiG Cardio,” said Hunter Tully, Managing Director of Finance, Ryder Supply Chain Services.

We encourage other companies to get involved in this worthy cause.

Consider forming a team for your group and utilizing the event as your “company day” or “church retreat.” You can rent a tent in various sizes depending on the size of your group and enjoy a day of fun with your staff or congregants without the headache of planning an event. You can also earn a tent and a team t-shirt by recruiting member. Go to bigcardio.org for more info.

 

Ready to get your heart rate up?

Register as an individual, create a team, or join a team. Donate to an individual or team, make a general gift to BiG Cardio or sponsor the event. Consider volunteering at the event. Service hours are even available for high schoolers. Start fundraising. You can raise funds as a participant, or fundraise without participating. It’s all at BiGCardio.org.