Stephen Ritz, Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson join Mad Marathon lineup; 1% for the Planet celebrates 10th anniversary

Waitsfield, VT — This July, Vermont’s Mad River Valley will host “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” the Mad Marathon, a 1% for the Planet event. While Sunday, July 7 is the official race day, the whole weekend is turning into a can’t miss summer event. The most recent additions to the weekend’s lineup include 1% for the Planet ambassadors Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, and Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, both musicians and Vermont natives — Nicole is well known for her stint on the third season of “The Voice”. “Dwight and Nicole” will perform on Friday, July 5 and Ritz will speak about his experience teaching students how to grow vertical ‘living walls’ on July 6^th.

Ritcher, Nelson and Ritz are new to the 1% for the Planet family, and excited to be ambassadors as 1% for the Planet celebrates its 10^th year.

“Dwight and I are looking forward to performing at an event that does so much good, both for the environment and local and regional communities,” said Nelson.

Ritz added, “The Green Bronx Machine is thrilled to come to the Green Mountain State to celebrate our commitment to 1% For the Planet; proof that no matter where you live, work and play, together, we can all make a difference!”

In addition to speeches, musical performances and the official marathon, the weekend will host a fun run for kids and showcase 1% for the Planet’s hometown of Waitsfield, offering participants the chance to enjoy the local Farmer’s Market and cuisine on Saturday before the race.

“We are so honored to have Stephen, Dwight and Nicole join us for this year’s Mad Marathon and the celebration of our 10^th year,” said Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “The 1% for the Planet family is big and continues to grow, adding nonprofits, businesses, ambassadors and media partners. This event allows us to highlight all of these different groups that come together through our network to make good. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way or setting to have our network celebrate ten years of giving back to Blue.”

1% for the Planet announced its partnership with the Mad Marathon earlier this year, making the third annual Mad Marathon the first marathon dedicated to environmental sustainability. All funds raised by the 1% for the Planet team will be split among three nonprofit partnerships: The Staying Connected Initiative, The Bay Circuit Trail and The Penobscot River Restoration. 1% for the Planet New England nonprofit partners also have the opportunity to create individual teams and raise funds for their organization.

Waitsfield, VT — What do a beer-brewing CEO, a racecar driver, an artist, a media mogul, a pro-surfer, and a musician have in common? Several things, actually: They live under one sky, share one playground and are all committed to sustainability and giving back through the 1% for the Planet Ambassador Program.

Today, 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses that invest at least 1% of their sales in organizations focused on sustainability, is pleased to introduce its new ambassadors. The 1% Ambassadors are a diverse group of business-leaders, athletes, artists and activists who are integrating the 1% for the Planet message into their daily lives to help broaden awareness for our global movement. Designed to give influential people a powerful platform to make a difference, the 1% for the Planet Ambassador Program seeks to elevate awareness of sustainability issues while building bridges between corporate and non-profit leaders to keep earth in business.

Our Ambassadors span all walks of life and many divergent professions, including CEOs, media, artists, musicians and even race car drivers. They hold a common core-belief that businesses have the power and responsibility to create reliable prosperity for the planet by investing in sustainability projects with the non-profits partners in the 1% global network. To view all of 1%’s Ambassador profiles please visit the 1% website here.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have an all-star team of 1% Ambassadors who understand that it’s time for business to move beyond “doing less harm” by committing to making on-going investments in “doing good” for the planet,” said Terry Kellogg 1% for the Planet CEO. “Our ambassadors are a diverse group of business-leaders, athletes, artists and activists who are integrating the 1% for the Planet message into their daily lives to broaden awareness for our global movement.”

1% for the Planet has experienced remarkable growth in recent years and in fact, is fast on the way to becoming the largest network of environmental funders on the planet. Adding the Ambassador Program to it’s mix is a central part of efforts to broaden the personality and character of the 1% brand and to scaling the entire 1% movement.

The complete list of 1% Ambassadors includes:

Kris Holm extreme unicyclist, geo-scientist, Vancouver, BC
Julie Gilhart green-fashionista, consultant, New York, NY
Stu Bowen surfer, eco-entrepreneur, Yamba, Australia
Chase Jarvis artist, photographer, film-maker, musician, Seattle, WA
Leilani Münter race car driver, public speaker, Charlotte, NC
Alex Hillinger digital media entrepreneur, Jackson Hole, WY
Dan Ross pro surfer, Yamba, Australia
Jack Johnson musician, surfer, Oahu, HI
Maya Albanese sustainability expert, New York, NY
Zach Crist extreme skier, Sun Valley, ID
Chris Keyes writer, editor, VP of Outside Magazine, Santa Fe, NM
Penn Newhard PR and media specialist, Basalt, CO
Kim Jordan beer brewer, entrepreneur, CEO New Belgium, Fort Collins, CO
Sara Lingafelter social media entrepreneur, Rock-climber, Seattle, WA
Reggie Crist extreme skier, living wherever snow falls, Planet Earth
Terry Kellogg 1% for the Planet CEO, Waitsfield VT

About 1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet exists to build and support an alliance of companies financially committed to creating a healthy planet. Launched by Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard in late 2002, 1400+ 1% member companies can now be found in 44 countries around the world. 1% members give at least 1% of their revenues (top line sales) directly to non-profit organizations focused on issues of sustainability. For more information or to get involved please visit our website.