Tenth Annual Dream Big in Color 5K Fun Run Raises Record Amount

April 25, 2023

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Fun Run Raises $41,119 to benefit Quincy Public Schools

Quincy, Ill. – The 10^th annual Dream Big in Color Run welcomed more than 700 runners and raised a record-breaking $41,119 for Quincy Public Schools. The fundraiser, sponsored by the QPS Foundation in partnership with QHS Leadership students, was a great success in raising money for the Quincy Public Schools Foundation, which provides financial support for creative teaching and key areas in the district, including curriculum, technology, athletics and fine arts. The run was held Saturday, April 22, beginning at Quincy High School, running down Maine St., looping through the East End Historic District and ending at the high school.

Supported by their teacher, Ben Dombroski, the QHS Leadership Class took the lead in soliciting sponsorships for the color run, reaching out to local businesses and individuals to help offset the costs of the event. The class also volunteered their time to help with set up and managing the event.

“Giving my students the opportunity to give back to the community and school that helped raise them is such a great experience!” Dombroski said. “Taking initiative in bettering our community is an important lesson for our students to learn, and I am thankful for the opportunity for them to do so.”

The Leadership Class is a real-world exercise for QHS juniors to experience event management, fundraising and leadership. In taking on the mission of the QPS Foundation, students must interact with business leaders and others in the community to gain support for public education.

This year, the event raised $41,119, which is the most the Dream Big in Color Run has raised in the history of the event.

“The support from the community for this event was so inspiring,” said Heidi Lanier, executive director of the Quincy Public Schools Foundation. “The funds raised at this event will be put back into the QPS district through our teacher grants program. That is exciting because our teachers have the best understanding of what is needed to elevate the educational experience here at QPS. It feels great to secure funds to support that program.”

Each year the Foundation makes grants to teachers, schools and the district administration in fulfillment of their mission. Since it’s founding, the Foundation provided several million dollars of support to the Quincy Public Schools.