10:51 a.m., March 20, 2009----The first Race for a Better Delaware will be held at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 5, at the Shipyard Shops on the Wilmington waterfront. This 5K run or walk will benefit the Jefferson Awards Youth Service Initiative and raise awareness of opportunities for service in the state.

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Delaware was recently ranked 42nd in volunteerism in a national survey and Gov. Jack Markell has set a goal to elevate the state to first in the nation in recorded volunteer hours per capita.

To rally the state for service, Markell, in partnership with the Jefferson Awards, initiated the Race for a Better Delaware. He will be joined by New Castle County Executive Chris Coons and Wilmington Mayor James Baker in running the race.

A wellness clinic managed by the Nemours Children's Clinic will be held immediately following the race.

A Race for a Better Delaware Web site has been established for race registrations and to make it easy for Delawareans to record their volunteer service hours. Participants can run or walk individually, as a family, or as a team of friends or co-workers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Delaware Youth Leadership Fund held at the Delaware Community Foundation. This fund offers scholarships to outstanding high school students who demonstrate leadership through service. The fund will also be used to establish a leadership award at the University of Delaware.

The Leadership Program at the University of Delaware is an undergraduate major offered through the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy. Students in the program plan and execute an annual leadership training program for selected high school students in the state in cooperation with the Jefferson Awards Youth Service Initiative.

The Jefferson Awards, a national program founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sam Beard and Sen. Robert Taft Jr. in 1972, recognizes outstanding public and community service.