St. Mary’s School’s annual SMB Color Run was a vibrant success this year, with students, families, and staff coming together for one of the most exciting days of the school year. Coordinated by Casey, the event not only filled the campus with color and joy but also exceeded fundraising expectations in a big way.
Fundraising Success
The goal for this year’s Color Run was $35,000, and the community rallied to raise an impressive $38,936, the highest amount in the last five years. All funds will directly support St. Mary’s School’s operating budget, which includes teacher salaries, facility maintenance, and a designated yearly upgrade.
“Seeing the joy on the students’ faces while knowing we were raising money that will directly benefit their school experience was incredibly rewarding,” said Wilson.
Why PledgeStar?
As a returning school, St. Mary’s once again partnered with PledgeStar, a fundraising platform that has proven both efficient and effective.
Wilson noted that the platform has streamlined communication with families, automated reminders, and provided instant reporting, saving the committee hours of manual work. Favorite features included real-time progress tracking, which kept students motivated, and easy online sharing, which allowed the fundraiser to extend well beyond the local community.
“Don’t hesitate, it makes fundraising so much easier and more successful. The platform does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the fun and community side of the event,” Wilson advised other schools.
Event Day Highlights
Energy and excitement filled the air from start to finish. Students delighted in the prizes and activities, while staff members joined the fun with creative incentives.
Highlights included:
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Swag Bags for top earners in each grade
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A Week Out of Uniform Pass
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Families who raised $500 or more earned the chance to throw color chalk powder on teachers and even the principal!
Teachers also played a huge role in the day’s success, volunteering to be part of the fun and setting classroom goals to inspire students to participate.
Strengthening Community Spirit
Beyond the financial success, the event brought the St. Mary’s community closer together. Families, staff, and students worked side by side to create a celebration that embodied school spirit.
“It strengthened our school spirit and gave families, staff, and students a reason to come together in a positive, fun environment,” Wilson reflected.
Final Thanks
The school extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the fundraiser and a special thanks to the PledgeStar team for their responsive and helpful guidance throughout the process.
With another successful SMB Color Run in the books, St. Mary’s School continues to demonstrate the power of community, collaboration, and a little bit of color to achieve something extraordinary.
