A Special Wish Foundation’s Dayton chapter will have its 6th annual Donut Superhero Run on Saturday, May 15. Sponsors will include Allstate, Bill’s Donuts and Dayton Children’s Hospital.
Events include a one-mile fun run for children as well as a 5K and 10K. The fun run is for ages eight and under and will take place on the football stadium’s track. The organization invites those who attend to dress up as a superhero.
“They’re truly superheroes – all the kids whose wishes will be granted,” said A Special Wish Dayton chapter Executive Director, David Seyer.
The run will take place at Centerville High School, starting at the football stadium and traveling through a nearby neighborhood.
“That’s really fun for those folks,” said Seyer. “They love looking out their window and seeing superman or spiderman running by their front window.”
The mission of A Special Wish is to grant the wishes of children who are experiencing life-threatening illnesses from birth to age 20. The money raised will help the organization to do just that. The organization receives a variety of wishes from children. One of the most popular requests is to go to Walt Disney World. Others include going to the beach or meeting celebrities or sports teams. The organization grants around 50 wishes every year.
“It’s really up to the child’s imagination,” said Seyer. “Whatever their wish is, we make it happen.”
Registration fees are currently $15 for the fun run, $30 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K through April 24. Shirts and medals are included in this cost. The cost will go up after this date. Participants can also collect donations from family, friends and colleagues to help raise more funds through their page after registering online.
At the end of the race, doughnuts from Bill’s Donuts will be available to participants.
“The idea is to have a lot of fun and to raise a lot of money to make sure that local children’s wishes come true,” said Seyer. “We always say, ‘you can walk, skip or run.’ Just come out and have fun.”
Bill’s Donuts will award the winning male and female participants of both the 5K and 10K with a dozen doughnuts every week for one year. The top fundraiser will receive these weekly doughnuts as well. The run will also hold a raffle for everyone who raised at least $100 to win half a dozen doughnuts every week for a year. For every additional $100 raised, the participant will be entered in an extra time.
“Our goal is to raise close to $25,000 so that we can get five wishes granted from this race,” said Seyer.
This will be the first year back for the organization, as last year’s run was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Runners do not have to wear a mask during the run, but only prior to its start. The current health guidelines by Montgomery County will be followed at the event.
“We’re very excited to be back and we’re really hoping that everyone will come out and join us,” said Seyer.
A Special Wish Foundation’s Dayton chapter was established in 1983 and has since become the largest chapter in the organization. It is currently the only organization of its kind in the Dayton area. This chapter covers six Ohio counties, including Montgomery, as well as Auglaize. It also grants wishes to all children who receive their treatment at Dayton Children’s Hospital.
Dayton Children’s Hospital has been partnered with A Special Wish since its beginning and the organization operates from the hospital campus.
“We’re very fortunate to have this wonderful relationship,” said Seyer. “We work very closely with the doctors, the nurses and the social workers within the hospital to make sure that every child who is eligible… can enter into our program.”
Since its location is very accessible to patients, A Special Wish can reach out to families and immediately begin planning for a child’s wish.
As 750 participants are anticipated this year, the run is in need of volunteers. Volunteers can direct runners and cheer them on as they move along the race path. They can help with the water station, pass out supplies as well as set up and clean after the event is over. Volunteers typically work from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.
“We absolutely need volunteers,” said Seyer. “Five hours can help a lot of people do a lot of great things.”
Those interested in volunteering can contact the organization’s special events manager at MahamA@childrensdayton.org.
For those who are unable to attend the run, A Special Wish offers another option. Participants can sign up for the virtual registration and keep track of their distance through the IYR Virtual App, which will appear on the run’s website once completed. Virtual entries will also receive a t-shirt and medal.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern