OKAY!! OKAY!!'s Luis Calderin To Run NYC Marathon!

Luis Calderin, principal of OKAY!! OKAY!!, a full service boutique, marketing, and design agency in downtown Burlington, will be participating in the IGN New York City Marathon on November 7th, 2010. OKAY!! OKAY!! is a strong advocate for local artists and friend of Big Heavy World.

Calderin is running to support the Stoked organization, a non-profit group founded in 2005 by Sal Masekela and Steve Larosiliere. Stoked was founded on a mission to support successful teens with opportunity, knowledge, experience and determination through action sports and mentoring programs. Action sports offer life lessons about communication, character, healthy lifestyles and more. Stoked hopes to support at-risk and disadvantaged youth through its outreach programming.

The Stoked program hits close to Calderin's heart. "I am a stoked Kid. I grew up in cities, facing many of the same challenges these kids face today." After moving to Burlington with his mother, Calderin got involved in snowboarding and found an entirely new outlet for his own personal growth. "At a young age, I was guided by people who saw potential in me and that set my life in motion in a direction that was totally opposite of where I was headed. I believe in this program and what it can do to help peoples' lives and that's why I am committed to running 26.2 miles in the greatest city on Earth to raise awareness and money for the Stoked program."

As a member of Team Stoked, Calderin hopes to raise more than the minimum $2,500 through a limited edition line of OKAY!! OKAY!! marathon and running-themed hoodies, posters, and pins for sale on his fundraising website,  bit.ly/okokteamstoked. Visit this site to donate to Calderin's efforts on behalf of Team Stoked. A portion of their profits will go toward travel costs to NYC for Calderin and his supporters.

Support Calderin, OKAY!! OKAY!!, and the Team Stoked by checking out the limited edition gear and donating to the cause.

On November 7th, 2010 be sure to watch Calderin and Team Stoked in the ING NYC Marathon. To track Calderin's progress in the race, enter bib #611805 at http://www.nycmarathon.org/athlete alert.htm.