Dream Big in Color Run raises record-breaking $41,119 for Quincy Public Schools

QUINCY – The 10^th annual Dream Big in Color Run on Saturday, April 22, welcomed more than 700 runners and raised a record-breaking $41,119 for Quincy Public Schools. 

The fundraiser, sponsored by the Quincy Public Schools Foundation in partnership with QHS Leadership students, raised money for the foundation, which provides financial support for creative teaching and key areas in the district, including curriculum, technology, athletics and fine arts. The run began at Quincy High School, went down Maine Street, looping through the East End Historic District and ending at the high school. 

The QHS leadership class, supported by teacher Ben Dombroski, 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 set up and manage 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 the 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 yearly grants to teachers, schools and the district administration in fulfillment of their mission. Since its founding, the foundation 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 through the Foundation’s website, qpsfoundation.org.