We ran so they could dream

By Mike Warneke

Dresses for Dreams race day 2017 is in the books, and what an incredible event it was! The impact of a 3.1 miles has never gone farther. To those of you who joined us at a race hub, to those who joined us as satellite runners, to those who sponsored the race so we could make it happen, THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done it without you. And what we accomplished with our “little" 5K is something worth celebrating BIG!

With runners participating at our five race hubs across the US, and in 27 states and 3 different continents as satellite runners, we are excited to announce that more than 1000 girls in Uganda will receive the gift of hope in the form of a hygiene kit this coming spring. Our race motto, “we run so they can dream,” is more than just a slogan. It is our mission. And on Saturday morning, with your support, that mission was carried out in beautiful fashion. Thank you!

We’re also proud to share that in addition to the more than 1000 hygiene kits this race raised, the extra donations you so generously gave will be enough to fund the purchase and delivery of a changing room to one of our school campuses. These rooms give our girls a safe, private place to take care of their feminine hygiene needs. A place they can call their own. Complete with benches, mirrors, bright, colorful rooms, and specially selected quotes adorning the room walls, designed to inspire and empower these girls each and every time they enter. We could not be more proud to get an opportunity to provide something so special to these girls. Thank you for giving above and beyond your race registration and making this changing room a reality!

Perhaps most exciting of all though was what was taking place in Uganda on race day. While we all gathered here to participate in our own 5Ks, men, women, and children gathered in Uganda to run a 5K of their own. Your support through “Sponsor a Ugandan runner” allowed 78 women to run on race day, receiving hygiene kits at the end of their run. Far more than 78 women participated, bringing not only awareness, but hygiene kits to so many of those in the local communities surrounding our schools. This race, originally designed simply to empower the girls we serve, is now reaching much farther. Their moms, their sisters, their aunts, even strangers in their communities received love, dignity, empowerment, and support on race day. All because you gave.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

Let’s do it all again next year!