Executive Director of the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio Honored for Giving Athletes with Disabilities Opportunities to Compete

The Rite Aid Foundation announced today that Lisa Followay, executive director of the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO), located in Dalton, Ohio, has been awarded its KIDCHAMPSM Award for her unwavering efforts to provide athletes with disabilities the opportunity to compete in competitive and recreational sports. Followay is being recognized today at 10 a.m. during a special presentation at ASPO located at 100 Kurzen Road North in Dalton. In recognition of her service, Followay will receive a $10,000 donation to ASPO and $500 in Rite Aid gift cards during a special ceremony at ASPO’s headquarters.

The Rite Aid Foundation created the KIDCHAMP Award in 2017 to recognize individuals in communities served by Rite Aid who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of youth by advocating for their health and wellbeing, championing education and academic growth and creating a safe environment for children and teens to live and grow. Followay is the fourth recipient to receive the award.

“Lisa exemplifies the mission of KidCents by giving kids in need the opportunity for better lives and brighter futures,” said Scott Bernard, senior vice president of Rite Aid’s Mid-Atlantic Division and member of The Rite Aid Foundation Board of Directors. “Thanks to Lisa’s dedication and her leadership at ASPO, children with disabilities from across Ohio now have the opportunity to play sports, which benefits them physically, mentally and academically. Lisa has paved the way for inclusion, and we are pleased to recognize her as the latest recipient of our KIDCHAMP Award.”

As the mother of a disabled child, Followay realized the importance of sports early in her son Casey’s life. When the family moved to Ohio, Followay found very few options for Casey. She then decided to create opportunities for children like Casey by founding ASPO in 2009.

Over the last nine years, Followay has grown ASPO into the largest adaptive sport organization in Ohio, serving more than 300 individuals in six cities through 10 sports, including basketball, sled hockey and track.

“It is truly an honor to receive the KIDCHAMP Award and I’d like to thank The Rite Aid Foundation and KidCents for helping all of us at ASPO continue our important work,” said Followay. “Sports help develop focus and discipline. They teach children how to work as a team, overcome challenges and form friendships, while also improving their overall health and wellbeing. At ASPO, we want to spread the belief that children with disabilities don’t have to watch from the sidelines. They can participate in competition and make meaningful contributions to their teams…you just need to give them the opportunity!”

Followay actively advocates for inclusion of children with disabilities in school athletics. Through her efforts, students across Ohio were permitted to join their school track teams in 2013 and represent their schools at the OHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Since then, more than 50 school athletes with disabilities have participated on their school track teams with support from ASPO, which includes racing chair equipment loans and adaptive track and field training for the students and coaches.

In addition, Followay worked with the Ohio Senate to allocate funding through the Ohio Department of Education for the creation of the first interscholastic wheelchair basketball team in Ohio. Since the pilot launched during the 2015-16 school year, the program has expanded to include teams in five school districts.

Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid's loyalty program, wellness+ rewards, can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 440 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com.

Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $36 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $87 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with fiscal 2018 annual revenues of $21.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO) is a nonprofit organization established to promote the health and wellness of individuals with physical disabilities. ASPO provides competitive and recreational adaptive sport opportunities throughout Ohio. ASPO offers 10 sports programs in Ohio, and has partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee to launch Paralympic Sport Ohio. There is active programming in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown and more. For more information, visit http://adaptivesportsohio.org.

MEDIA:Rite AidPeter Strella, 717-975-5718pstrella@riteaid.com

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