PICTURED: From left to right, SRG Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer, Zephz President/Owner David Snyder, and SRG Trails Project Manager Robert Folwell.

Zephz Athletic Footwear, a worldwide brand based in the U.S., provided a $1,000 donation to the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area’s Sponsor-a-Trail program.

Last year, Zephz donated $500 for the upkeep of a 1-mile stretch of the Schuylkill River Trail Thun Section. Recently, the company doubled their sponsorship to support even more miles of the trail. The section of the trail included in the new sponsorship begins at the west end of the Douglassville Bridge and stretches for two miles to where the Schuylkill River Trail crosses Route 724 near the Monocracy Station in Union Township.

Signs recognizing Zephz as a Sponsor-a-Trail participant have been installed at the start and end of the sponsored trail segment. The company produces athletic footwear for cheerleading, field hockey and several other sports. For more about Zephz, visit the website at www.zephz.com.

The Sponsor-a-Trail Program is targeted to businesses and organizations who wish to make a two- to three-year financial commitment to support costs associated with trail management and maintenance for a specified segment of the trail. Signs acknowledging participants are posted along the sponsored segment.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is responsible for maintaining 28 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Since limited funds are available, an active group of volunteers regularly grooms the trail and trailheads. Even with volunteer labor, the Schuylkill River Greenways pays hundreds of dollars per mile annually on trail maintenance for items such as fuel for mowers, a small stipend for two volunteer coordinators, and equipment.

The Sponsor-a-Trail program provides opportunities for organizations and businesses to care for the trail.

“We at Schuylkill River Greenways are very appreciative to have Zephz as a Sponsor-a-Trail participant. The company has doubled their sponsorship from last year, allowing for twice as much trail to be maintained so people can continue to utilize the recreational resource,” said Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA seeks donations that cover multiple years, since signs are posted naming Sponsor-a-Trail donors. Those interested in becoming a Sponsor-a-Trail participant or want to learn more about the program can contact the Schuylkill River Greenways NHA at 484-945-0200, or email Trails Project Manager Robert Folwell at rfolwell@schuylkillriver.org. For more about the Schuylkill River Trail, visit the website schuylkillriver.org/schuylkill-river-trail.