PLANO, Texas, Nov. 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- My Possibilities, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering adults with cognitive disabilities, is holding its fifth annual Santa Run Texas. This 5K Fun Run & 1 Mile Walk is a family and pet-friendly event that allows participants to dress up in a five-piece Santa suit (included with your registration) and attempt to break the record for the largest Santa gathering in Texas!
The first Santa-themed running event in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Santa Run Texas has become a holiday tradition for those interested in helping adults with special needs and underprivileged children. This community-based event is a great way to bring friends, families, businesses and social groups together to celebrate the season while helping raise money to provide advanced educational opportunities for special needs adults. This year, My Possibilities and their students, lovingly referred to as HIPsters (Hugely Important People), have set a goal of attracting more than 4,000 Santas to participate in the outdoor event. And most importantly, 100 percent of the proceeds from this fundraiser are used to benefit the charity.
Both the 5K and 1 Mile Walk are presented by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12th from 8 a.m. to noon at the company’s headquarters located at 5301 Legacy Drive in Plano. Park Place Jaguar Plano is bringing out two sleighs – luxury convertibles for Santa and his entourage of North Texas-based dignitaries – to lead the procession of Santas to the starting line.
A number of other sponsors have signed on to support Santa Run Texas. Sponsors include 105.3 The Fan, Aqua-Fit Aquatics, Baylor Scott and White Health, Café Brazil, Care Now, Cinemark, Del Frisco’s Grill, Dunkin’ Donuts, Frost Bank, Luke’s Locker, Mary Kay Family Foundation, Plano Profile, Raising Canes, in addition to many others. My Possibilities has also teamed up with Holiday Warehouse to deck out the entire event space in holiday decorations that will make “Vendors Village” a true winter wonderland and a great place to make holiday photos.
“Last year, we raised over $120,000 which helped fund many of My Possibilities educational programs. With more than 200,000 special needs adults living in North Texas, high-quality programs are almost non-existent,” said Charmaine Solomon, founder and Chairman of the Board at My Possibilities. “Proceeds from this fundraiser go directly towards the ongoing operations of My Possibilities so that we can continue to help this large and growing population.”
More than a running event, Santa Run Texas is a holiday happening that provides entertainment for people and pets of all ages. This year, the Jordan Kahn Music Company will provide live music, along with Cory Mageors and Kevin Hageland of 105.3 The Fan as the day's emcees. There will also be a designated area called “Santa’s Playground” that will include plenty of other amusements for children. An “official” Santa Claus is on hand to hear children’s wish lists, and other family-friendly entertainment includes a balloon artist and face-painter. For adults with a sense of humor, a Jimmy Kimmel-featured “Butt Sketch Artist®” will also be on hand to create one-of-a kind art to entertain the crowd!
In addition to the recognition given to the winning runners, a number of other awards and prizes will be handed out following the run and walk events. The Best-Dressed Pet, Best-Dressed Santa, Best Sleigh, Largest Team and other prizes will be handed out to the Santa Run Texas participants in these and other categories. So, get creative, and start customizing holiday costumes and sleds of all kinds from red wagons or strollers to wheelchairs.
No celebration would be complete without food and refreshments. Food trucks will be selling finger-licking favorites, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group will provide complimentary water and other cold drinks. Both Dunkin Donuts and Café Brazil will keep everyone warm with free coffee and hot cocoa. Additionally, the HIPsters in the MP Culinary Catering Program will serve homemade hot cocoa, cider, and cookies to attendees.
To help other North Texas families all festival participants are requested to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event for the HIPster’s annual Toys for Tots drive. Following Santa Run Texas, U.S. Marines will collect and distribute toys to underprivileged children throughout the Metroplex.
For those interested in attending, here are the details for the event:
| When: | Saturday, Dec. 12th, 2015 | |||
| Where: | Dr Pepper Snapple Group Headquarters | |||
| 5301 Legacy Drive | ||||
| Plano, TX 75024 | ||||
| Time: | 8 a.m. to 12 noon – Festival Activities | |||
| 9 a.m. – 5 K Run Kickoff | ||||
| 9:15 a.m. – One Mile Walk Kickoff | ||||
For additional information on Santa Run Texas, contact Jana Pugh, Special Events Manager by phone at (469) 241-9100 x6106 or by email at jpugh@mptx.org. For information about My Possibilities, contact Charmaine Solomon by phone at 241-9100 or by email at lalchar@aol.com or contact the 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, Asperger’s, 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.