Reciprocity Road, an industry buying group, has announced the third-quarter recipient of its BrandGood Give Back Contest. A philanthropic initiative from Reciprocity Road companies, BrandGood empowers employees to support their favorite causes through quarterly donations, and each quarter, BrandGood Ambassadors from eight group distributors review stories and photos submitted by their colleagues. Of the eight submissions received in this year’s third quarter, BrandGood selected the Achilles International to receive a donation of $500.

Bridget Ray, sales coordinator at Brand Fuel and BrandGood Ambassador says, “BrandGood is a motivator of acts of kindness and giving back to causes that matter to our staff members. During the hustle and bustle of the work day, BrandGood is a reminder of what matters most in this life.”

A New York City-based nonprofit, Achilles International empowers people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events to promote personal achievement. Specialized programs include the Achilles Freedom Team, which serves wounded military personnel and veterans; Achilles Kids, which provides training, race opportunities and an in-school program for children with disabilities; the Achilles Para-triathlon Team, which expands the running program into biking and swimming; and the Achilles Chapter workouts and the Hope & Possibility race, which takes place in several cities worldwide. Achilles International brings the largest field of athletes with disabilities (AWD) to the TCS NYC Marathon and is an authority in shaping AWD divisions in marathons nationwide. While the group’s programs focus on running, it uses running as a tool to bring hope, inspiration and the joys of achievement to all.

“Karen Lewis, director of Achilles Kids, is one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” says Lynn Wood of Quality Resource Group. “Disabled herself by MS, she works tirelessly to support Achilles, including personal fundraising for Achilles Kids, a 26.2 mile ‘virtual marathon’ that kids complete over the course of the school year. Achilles provides all the training materials and customized maps of cities in 18 states, reaching 11,000 children with disabilities. If her health allows, Karen does the NYC route on crutches. If not, she participates in the virtual marathon and this year personally raised over $11,000 in donations to support Achilles Kids.”

Lewis adds, “We can't thank Reciprocity Road enough for the kindness and generosity, for Lynn Wood’s important part in making this happen and for all the wonderful things you all do!”