The Dallas White Rock Marathon (DWRM) board of directors Thursday presented a $1 million check to the race’s primary beneficiary, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC). The $1 million donated from 2011 MetroPCS® Dallas White Rock Marathon® race proceeds marks a steep increase from the $560,000 check presented to the hospital one year ago. Since the selection of TSRHC as the race’s beneficiary in 1997, the marathon has contributed more than $2.8 million to the hospital.
“We are thrilled to fulfill our pledge of donating $1 million to Texas Scottish Rite, a hospital that does so much amazing work empowering young people in this community and beyond,” said Kevin Snyder, chairman of the DWRM board of directors. “As support for our race continues to grow, our goal is to continue supporting Texas Scottish Rite as our primary beneficiary with significant donations each year.”
TSRHC is a specialty pediatric orthopaedic hospital that provides the highest-quality treatment for orthopaedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders, and learning disorders such as dyslexia. Leaders in the field of pediatric orthopaedics, TSRHC physicians treat conditions such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb-length differences regardless of the family’s ability to pay. The generous contribution from the DWRM board will go toward general patient care at TSRHC.
“Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is truly grateful for the tremendous support of the Dallas White Rock Marathon board members, sponsors and friends,” said Bob Walker, president and chief executive officer of TSRHC. “The Dallas White Rock Marathon board shares a commitment to quality and creating the best possible experience for the participants, which goes hand in hand with the hospital’s mission of providing the highest-quality medical care for a patient family when they arrive at the hospital. With this contribution, the hospital celebrates the hard work and commitment of so many people who helped make the 2011 MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon a record-breaking year.”
Attending Thursday’s ceremony were DWRM board members, sponsors, individual fundraisers, and TSRHC representatives and patient champions. The hospital initiated the patient champions program in 2007 as a way for TSRHC patients to serve as ambassadors leading up to race weekend and at the race itself. Two former patient champions, Logan McGill (2010) and Matthew Patino (2011), will be featured in this month’s editions of ESPN HS and Runner’s World magazines, respectively.
“Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children cherishes the longtime friendship, over the last 16 years, with the Dallas White Rock Marathon,” said Lyndon L. Olson Jr., chairman of the board of TSRHC. “On behalf of the hospital’s board of trustees, we consider the race an invaluable asset to our community and are humbled by this generous gift being made to the hospital. This incredible contribution will allow us to carry on the hospital’s mission of providing the highest-quality patient care to children regardless of the family’s ability to pay.”
Funds contributed to TSRHC by the DWRM are from race revenues, corporate sponsorships, online fundraising and individual gifts. The DWRM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Our participants are truly supportive of this race and our beneficiary, and for that, we thank them,” said DWRM race director Marcus Grunewald. “As a runner, having the patients and families come out to support the event provides a huge source of motivation; they are the reason donations of this size are possible.”
“In addition to our runners, the record-breaking success of the 2011 event would not have been possible without the help of our board, sponsors and volunteers.”
Past DWRM chairman Phil Baker presided over the awards ceremony alongside Walker. In addition to awarding the $1 million donation, the marathon board presented the Victory Award for Excellence to Chuck Dannis, and Ed Jackson received the Spirit Award.
The Victory Award honors a member of the running community for demonstrating the value of physical fitness and having a positive effect on health and fitness through outstanding effort, determination, commitment and courage. Dannis served as DWRM chairman from 2005 through 2008 and is credited with many of the race’s innovations including the High School Relay Challenge. He now serves as chairman emeritus of the race.
Jackson is a Dallas runner with impressive finishes, and often wins, in his age group at races including the Turkey Trot, the DWRM and Dallas Running Club events. On his 50th birthday, Jackson ran a 50-mile “Jackson Five-O” to celebrate. The Spirit Award recognizes a local running hero who inspires others to make a difference in their lives through the sport of running.
For more information about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, visit tsrhc.org.
Registration for this year’s MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon opens June 1. The December 2 race is expected to sell out. Visit runtherock.com for more information.