THE 24TH ANNUAL DASH FOR DIGNITY BENEFITING ACHIEVE TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH AT DALLAS MEDICAL CENTER

  DALLAS, TEXAS - 09/14/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Achieve, A Place to Grow is hosting the 24^th Annual Dash for Dignity at its Presenting Sponsor’s location: Dallas Medical Center, 7 Medical Parkway, Farmers Branch, Texas. This year’s event includes a 5K race, half mile fun run, food trucks, silent auction, prize drawing, pet adoptions, a carnival, and health fair.

The health fair will provide demonstrations, information, and health care screenings: Back Health, Stress Relief, CPR and First Aid, Heart Health, Disability Awareness, Home Health Centers, Mental Health, Nutrition, Glucose Testing, Blood Pressure Checks, and Bone Density.

“We are excited to have Dallas Medical Center serve as our presenting sponsor this year.  It has been inspirational to witness every department of the hospital coming together to increase awareness of disability employment issues, while prioritizing a community health fair that has informative, fun and family-friendly activities for all ages at absolutely no charge,” said Tim Allen, Achieve Executive Director.

In addition to the health fair, this year’s event features a carnival for children with games, prizes and other fun activities like bounce houses, face painting, and pet adoptions. Dallas Zoo Animal Adventures is featuring six to eight educational animals including a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Those donating to Achieve’s Dash for Dignity can sponsor a less fortunate child to have unlimited play, helping offset the cost of the free fair; sponsoring a child (children) ranges from $10 to $150.  More than 500 children from local shelters, group homes, and elementary schools have been invited.

Dash for Dignity takes place during October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The event is part of the national campaign What can YOU do? The Achieve event has received proclamations and letters of support from several important community and state leaders including: Governor Greg Abbott, Dallas Mayor Mark Rawlings, U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant, U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions, Dallas Commissioners Court, and the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce.

The 24^th Annual Dash for Dignity is sponsored by Dallas Medical Center, TXU Energy, Kroger, Fox4, Stantec, The Four P Foundation, Summit Transportation, Freeman, Whataburger, Holland & Knight, MTV IR, Burns & McDonnell, 20/20 Staffing, Jim Adler & Associates, David Patterson Professional Real Estate, Harris F. Underwood, III, Inc., ACE Cash Express, Norma’s Café, Yumi Ice Cream, Haynes & Boone, Tik: Talk Marketing, Whitney & Rob Strauss, Sterling Protective Services, Chuck Mapes Insurance, AC Mechanical, Care Now, and Hunton & Williams. Mike Doocy of Fox4 (KDFW-TV) is the 2017 Race Emcee and is broadcasting live race morning on Good Day Texas.  He and his wife Ruth have supported Achieve for the past 23 years.

Achieve is based in Dallas, Texas. The thirty-six-year-old non-profit supports programs for adults with disabilities such as its work center where a few hundred individuals unable to work in the community come daily to work and earn a pay check.  Achieve also provides outside employment placement for veterans and other adults with disabilities as well as vocational training and work experience for special needs students transitioning from high school into the community. Its mission is to empower adults with disabilities and our veterans to achieve their highest level of independence and employment. For more information, visit http://achievedfw.org/.