Plano Mayor Proclaims Dec. 6, 2014 as Official Santa Run Texas Day; Center's Students Work with Marines to Gather Toys for Tots
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- My Possibilities, a non-profit center dedicated to empowering adults with special needs, has elves scurrying around getting ready for the fourth annual holiday fundraiser extravaganza – Santa Run Texas -- which features a 5K run/1M walk event, a toy parade, awards, and a vendor village including food and entertainment for the entire family. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6th from 8 a.m. to noon at the Dr Pepper Snapple Group headquarters in Plano.
In honor of the center's annual event, Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere has issued a proclamation declaring that Saturday, December 6, 2014 as the official "Santa Run Texas Day." To celebrate this milestone, the adult registration price has been discounted to $35 until the end of Thanksgiving Day.
Presented by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Santa Run Texas will feature hundreds of runners and walkers dressed in red and white suits lining up behind two sleighs – red convertibles provided by Porsche Plano for Santa and his entourage of dignitaries – to lead the procession to the starting line.
"Each year, the people and businesses of North Texas open their hearts to help fund educational programs for a large and growing population of adults with special needs. This deeply appreciated support enables My Possibilities to continue making the highest quality of educational programs a reality for the families we serve," said Charmaine Solomon, founder of My Possibilities and chairman of the center's board of directors. Santa Run Texas is the center's signature fundraiser, and all of the money raised for this event goes directly to fund ongoing operations that benefit our students which are lovingly referred to as Hugely Important People or HIPsters."
In addition to Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Porsche Plano, numerous sponsors have also come forward to help with this event including: Frost Bank, Aqua-Fit, Mary Kay Family Foundation, Below Zero Cyro, Yoozy, CareNow, iHeartRadio, KDGE 102.1 FM, KRLD – FM 105.3 The Fan, 97.5 KLAK FM as well as many others. Whole Foods Market® will provide fresh fruit for participants before and after the 5K and One Mile Walk.
More than an athletic event, Santa Run Texas has entertainment for the entire family. This year, the Jordan Kahn Music Company will provide live music, and Trigg Watson, a Dallas Top 100 performer, will entertain the crowd with magic. A designated area called Santa's Playground will include plenty of amusements for children. And, no holiday event would be complete without an "official" Santa Claus on hand for photos while he listens to the wish lists from children of all ages. A balloon artist and face-painter will also be on hand to entertain participants as well.
In addition to the winning runners, other awards and prizes will be handed out after the run and walk events. My Possibilities will recognize The Best-Dressed Pet, Best-Dressed Santa, Best Sleigh, Largest Team and others.
No holiday extravaganza would be complete without a variety of food and drink for event participants. Multiple food trucks will be selling finger-licking favorites. Dr Pepper Snapple Group will provide complimentary water and Mott's fruit punch and grape drink. And, Dunkin Donuts and Café Brazil will keep everyone warm with free coffee and cocoa.
The final registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 5th at 12 noon. Registration can be made at a pre-event reduced rate online at www.santaruntexas.org. Registration will also be available the morning of the event, at a rate of $45 for adults and $35 for children.
In addition to this year's Santa Run Texas festivities, the HIPsters, are teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. The Santa Run Texas Team is requesting that registrants bring a new unwrapped toy to the event. My Possibilities, along with their corporate sponsors, will hold a parade of toys during the kickoff of the running event.
For those interested in attending, here are the details for the event:
| When: | Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2014 |
| Where: | Dr Pepper Snapple Group Headquarters |
| 5301 Legacy Drive | |
| Plano, TX 75024 | |
| Time: | 8 a.m. to 12 noon – Festival Activities |
| 9 a.m. – 5K Run kick off | |
| 9:15 a.m. – One Mile Walk kick off |
For additional information on the Santa Run, contact Eric Lihammar, Special Events Coordinator by phone at (469) 241-9100 x107 or by email at elihammar@mptx.org. For information about My Possibilities, contact Charmaine Solomon by phone at (469) 631-1372 or by email at lalchar@aol.com or contact the center's executive director, Michael Thomas by phone at (469) 241-9100 or by email at director@mptx.org.
More information is also available on the website at www.santaruntexas.org or www.mypossibilities.org.
About My Possibilities:
My Possibilities is a Plano, Texas-based non-profit, charity - 501(c)(3), for adults with disabilities (Autism, Down Syndrome, Aspergers, Prader-Willi, Head Injuries, etc.). Started in June 2008, this organization is the FIRST full day, full year program in Collin County for Texans, who have "aged out" of secondary education. My Possibilities helps special needs adults build independence and vocational skills in a safe and nurturing environment. To learn more, please go to www.mypossibilities.org.