Sunday, April 10, 270 students, teachers and community members gathered at McCollum Park for the 4th annual Mustang Trot. This year the 5k raised $3,500 for the District 99 Memorial Peace Gardens.
The DGS Key Club has organized the trot for the past three years, each year raising money for various causes and organizations.
Previous years’ proceeds have gone to Spastics Paralysis Research Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Feed My Starving Children. After this year, the proceeds will continue to go towards any all-school fundraiser or philanthropic event that DGS plans.
“This is a wonderful event that has been going on at DGS for the last four years as a fundraiser,” Social Studies department chairperson Jenne Dehmlow said. “Their Key Club organizes the entire event and decides where they will direct their money each year. We are so lucky they have chosen this Crosstown Project.”
This event brings the total amount of money raised for the gardens, by both schools to $35,500, leaving $14,500 to be raised. Currently, the gardens are still set to be completed by Memorial Day of this year, leaving roughly a month until construction needs to begin at the Forest St. circle.
Currently, there are no other large-scale fundraisers in place by either DGN or DGS, leaving the last leg of the goal up to individual contributions.
“We are still working to connect with larger corporations for potential donations, as well as communicating with the Landscaping, Stone and Lighting companies who are donating many of their materials,” Dehmlow said.
Following completion, there will be a ceremony on Memorial Day dedicating the gardens to 70 District 99 veterans.