“Dash for the Beads is an annual 5K run along with a 1mile walk that coincides with Mardi Gras so come out and Laissez les bons temps rouler! (To any Mardi Gras rookies that is Cajun for “Let the good times roll”). Dash for the Beads is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that donates its proceeds to local area schools to help promote healthy eating and physical activity for our grade school children.

All Dash for the Beads activities provide funds for Dallas-area schools and non-profits to promote physical fitness, healthy eating and arts programming.

We accomplish our mission by:

Raising funds annually for Oak Cliff schools and non-profits that serve children through The Dash for the Beads 5K and fun run race event, as well as, Last Bag Standing and Friends of the Dash.
Requesting grant proposals annually from Oak Cliff schools and non-profits that offer physical fitness, healthy eating, and arts programming for children.
Carefully reviewing and scoring grant applications to ensure Dash for the Beads is a good steward of raised funds to be distributed.
Awarding grant funds to Oak Cliff schools and non-profits based upon the Grant Review Process.
Diligently following up with Awardees to ensure grant funds are spent as requested and all necessary grant reporting is completed and in order.
 
How Your Participation Has Helped
Over $27,000 in FREE entries given to approx. 675 DISD school kids (over the past 3 years).

Donations awarded: $325,000 (since 2014)

Donations have been awarded to 34 different organizations (since 2014).

Annual 5K and 1-mile Fun Run to benefit the Bryan County United Way and its agencies, including the Red River Special Olympics which was added as a main partner of the event in 2020 to highlight the Heroes that they are.  The date of this year's event is Saturday, March 1st in downtown Durant. #beahero2025

This is a Choctaw PACE event; if you are a a member of the PACE Program, please register through PACE.

The race will take place beginning with the 5k followed by the 1-mile fun run; taking off from Evergreen in front of Opera House Coffee.  There will be a water stop for the 5k within the loop at Southeastern.  Awards for the Overall Male and Female 5k Winners, Top 3 winners (both male and female) within each age division, and The Suman Cup (Sponsors' Challenge), will be given out to winners of these categories and announced after race results.  The event will be chip-timed and hosted by First Place Timing. Ciara's Cup (Special Olympian - Heart of a Champion Award) will be given out at the annual Special Olympics track and field event held in April, along with a donation to Special Olympics from race proceeds.  We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the run.  Don't forget, dressing up as your favorite superhero is encouraged!

Edmond Memorial’s annual community service project, Swine Week, began in 1986 when a small group of student council members decided that they wanted to make a difference in their school and community. They chose to raise money for a little girl who needed a kidney transplant. The students approached the principal, who supported the endeavor and even agreed to kiss a pig if they reached their total of $2,000, and when they did, Swine Week was born.

Fast forward 38 years, and the students of EMHS have collectively amassed over $8 million in charitable contributions. In 2024, an impressive $332,892 was raised for Peaceful Family Oklahoma. Swine Week’s financial support significantly helped with their building campaign to provide safe, stable housing for families experiencing homelessness.

The tradition of BALTO began in 1995 with a group of Edmond North students who decided to start a charity fundraising week. Named after a brave husky sled dog, BALTO stands for “Bring A Light To Others,” which is just what we intend to do! Since 1995, BALTO has raised over 7 million dollars for charities serving all kinds of needs. We have helped charities serving child cancer victims, brain tumor patients, special education students, premature babies, and many other worthy causes. BALTO strives to bring the students of Edmond North together with the community of Edmond and beyond to do some amazing work! Through activities such as the BALTO 5K, BALTO silent auction, school assemblies, t-shirt sales, and other efforts, BALTO strives to raise money each year for a worthy cause. Last year, BALTO was able to raise $212,748 for Wings, a community dedicated to serving the community of special needs adults here in Oklahoma. This year, funds raised through Edmond North’s BALTO support The HALO Project. The HALO Project believes there is hope for every child and family to experience healing through connection. Every day HALO  equips families and community partners with proven methods to work toward individual healing and disrupt the cycle of hurt in our community because when people are SEEN, HEARD, & VALUED, they not only survive, they THRIVE.