Dream Big in Color 5K Fun Run raises $31,673 to benefit Quincy Public Schools

QUINCY — The 11th annual Dream Big in Color Run welcomed hundreds of runners on April 20 and raised $31,673 for Quincy Public Schools.

The fundraiser, sponsored by the QPS Foundation in partnership with QHS leadership students, raised 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.

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 people to help offset the costs of the event. The class volunteered to help with setup 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 in a press release. “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.

“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.”

The foundation makes annual grants to teachers, schools and the district administration in fulfillment of its mission. It has provided several million dollars of support to the Quincy Public Schools.

Gifts to the QPS Foundation can be sent via postal mail to the Foundation office at Quincy High School or online via the Foundation’s website, qpsfoundation.org.