** Suggested Per-Student Goal: $160 | ALL DRAGONS PARTICIPATE IN THE RUN on October 8th **
Findley’s biggest and most impactful fundraiser of the year.
Dragon Dash is Findley Elementary’s biggest fundraiser of the year: a five-week donation drive that ends with a day of jogging on October 8, when our Dragons run laps and families come cheer them on.
Nearly 85% of what the Findley PTO raises all year comes from Dragon Dash. That’s what makes this fundraiser so important. It’s also very simple for families to participate and manage. No wrapping paper, no candy bars, no coupon books! Just one clear ask, one great day to celebrate all our Dragons with a fun run, and a year of programs your kids feel the difference from. Thank you for making it work, every year.
Specific funded items from last year – Classroom support (a bank of funds for each teacher to use to furnish their classrooms with specific objects such as lamps, books, fidgets, labels, and other supplies), Classroom Subscriptions, Library, PE and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Support, Custodians and door monitors for after school activities, Play|Fit|Fun, Field Trip transportation, Classroom parties 3 times per year, Art Literacy, Math Olympiad, Findley Flyers, and Passport Club Supplies, OBOB Books, Fall Festival, and much more!
What this year’s funds support: All of the items above, and we’re looking to collect more funds to improve the back field and track ($150k goal)
Consider:
- $25 buys art literacy supplies for one classroom’s project
- $100 buys supplies for Field Day in June for the school
- $160 (2026 per student fundraising goal) pays for ⅓ of the Findley Clothes Closet, a closet of spare clothes for when our Dragons get too messy and need a clean shirt, pants, or underwear without calling home
- $250 pays for Science Fair
- $600 pays for the Movie License used in all classrooms year-round
Every Dragon gets to participate in the Dash regardless of fundraising!
FUNDRAISING GOALS
- Suggested goal: $160 per student — but there is no required amount. Every donation and every participant matters.
- Why $160: If we can get enough of our community to raise a minimum of $160 per student, we can raise enough funds to pay for all our regularly budgeted programs and activities for the year. Everything beyond our fundraising goal will be set aside to fund the Findley track and back field improvements.
- School-wide goal: $76000
- Every contribution — big or small — helps our students.
HOW TO DONATE
- What is PledgeStar: Pledgestar is our fundraising platform that collects and manages donations for each student.
- Step-by-step registration:
- Go to https://findley.pledgestar.com/Welcome.html
- Create account/find your student
- If you already have an account and need help logging in, watch this video
- If you are new to Findley and need help making an account for the first time, watch this video
- Add family + friends’ emails and phone numbers
- PledgeStar sends the ask on your behalf
- Track your student’s progress in the dashboard
- Returning families: last year’s contact list carries over!
- Accepted payment methods:
- Pledgestar accepts credit cards
- If donating by check: make checks payable to Findley PTO, drop-off at the front office of the school by Friday October 16th.
- Donor privacy note: contact info isn’t sold, shared, or reused
- Troubleshooting: DragonDashPM@gmail.com
COMPANY MATCHING
Double Your Donation: Corporate Matching
Many employers match their employees’ charitable donations dollar for dollar — which means your $160 Dragon Dash pledge can become $320 for Findley. Every year, matching funds go unclaimed simply because families don’t know to ask. A few extra minutes of paperwork on your end is one of the highest-impact things you can do for your child’s school.
Check with your employer’s giving site, and click here for guide with more details.
If you have questions, please reach out to us at DragonDashPM@gmail.com
PRIZES
Prizes are awarded throughout the fundraising season! There are even prizes just for signing up on Pledgestar! Every kid will get a free Dragon Dash T-shirt and a Findley Elementary Pennant Banner!
- Week-by-week prize schedule:
- Week 1
9/14 – 9/18: Feed the Baby Dragons — The three Dragons who send the most PledgeStar donation requests by the end of this week get to play a hilarious interactive game with a teacher on stage at our September 25 assembly. - Week 2
9/21 – 9/25: Dragon Egg Extravaganza — The first 50 students to reach $160 donations will receive a mystery dragon egg! - Week 3
9/28 – 10/2: Inflatable Cheerleaders — 3 Classes with the most Pledgestar requests sent to date will have their teachers cheer in costume for race day! - Week 4
10/5 – 10/9: Sweet|Sour|Spicy — All classes who reach 100% PledgeStar Registration – Teacher will spin the wheel of flavors! - Week 5
10/12 – 10/16: Teacher Fashion Show — Top 4 classes with biggest jump in registration this week get to walk the runway at the October Assembly!
- Week 1
- All students receive:
- A 2026 Findley Dragon Dash t-shirt and
- A NEW Findley Elementary Spirit Pennant banner
- Other prizes:
- The highest earning class each week will get to watch over baby Ember as she sleeps and guards her mini dragon stash in recognition of a job well done.
- Classes who reach 95% registration are awarded a popcorn and movie party in class
- Classes who reach 100% registration get a dance party in class and a snack!
- The top earning class based on percentage gets an extra recess!
- 3 Top Earning Students Can Throw Shaving Cream Pie At An Amazing Staff Member!
- Student with highest number of donations of any value will be Principal for a Day!
- When school reaches 50% of the fundraising goal, all registered Pledgestar participants are entered in a drawing to win one of two $10 Cold Stone gift cards.
- When school reaches 75% of the fundraising goal, Pledgestar participants are entered to win a family game night courtesy of Play Fit Fun.
- When school reaches 100% of the fundraising goal, the entire school gets a cool OMSI Assembly!
- The top 20 students with the most Pledgestar requests sent will get a coupon for a free ice cream from Handel’s Ice Cream!
- Kids who run the most laps in their grade on Dash Day earn a cool medal!
- Registration prizes (enter to win a prize just by being registered):
- Week 1 – All students registered on Pledgestar can win a free kids meal from The Old Spaghetti Factory (25 total winners).
- Week 2 – All students registered on Pledgestar can win a $50 KingPins gift card for the Arcade/VR Games/Laser Tag (1 winner).
- Week 3 – All students registered on Pledgestar are entered to win a family 4 pack of tickets to Plumper Farms (1 winner of 4 tickets).
- Week 4 – All students registered on Pledgestar are entered to win a 1-hour Birthday Party hosted by Play Fit Fun (1 winner).
- Week 5 – At the end of the Dash, all students registered on Pledgestar will be entered into a drawing to win a Whimsy Wees no school day. One winner per grade.
Fine print:
- Prize distribution: Weekly prizes will occur during their scheduled time, other student prizes earned will be distributed after Dragon Dash.
- participation is measured by registrations complete in PledgeStar
- fundraising is measured by the total dollar amount earned at a given deadline
Not loading? Open the leaderboard in a new tab →
DRAGON DASH DAY
Run schedule by grade:
| Race Day | 10/8/2026 | Grade | Shift Start | Shift End | Run Start | Run End |
| Race Times | 9:00am - 1:55pm | 4th Grade | 8:45 AM | 9:30 AM | 9:00 AM | 9:20 AM |
| Volunteer Times | 7:00am - 2:30pm | 5th Grade | 9:35 AM | 10:20 AM | 9:50 AM | 10:10 AM |
| 2nd Grade | 10:30 AM | 11:15 AM | 10:45 AM | 11:05 AM | ||
| 1st Grade | 11:30 AM | 12:15 PM | 11:45 AM | 12:05 PM | ||
| 3rd Grade | 12:25 PM | 1:10 PM | 12:45 PM | 1:05 PM | ||
| Kindergarten | 1:15 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:35 PM | 1:50 PM (15 min) |
- Location / course description: Located on the west side of the property, Dragons will run the track surrounding the large field next to the playground.
- What students should wear and bring: We encourage students to wear light layers and shoes appropriate for running. All Dragons will receive a complimentary Dragon Dash t-shirt to wear during the Dash and show their Dragon spirit!
- Can families come watch? Where do they stand? Parking?: Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, and other adult family members are welcome to cheer on their students. Raptor pre-approval is not required to be a spectator. There will be a spectator section marked for cheering. We recommend parking in the lot on Old Thompson road, or walking if able.
- Sibling / younger child policy: Younger siblings are not permitted on the premises during school hours, including the Dragon Dash. Older siblings are allowed to attend provided they are not missing school in session themselves.
- Photo and video policy: Photos and videos are permitted, however, we urge you to use caution when posting others.
- Rain plan / weather cancellations: In the event of severe adverse weather, please watch ParentSquare and WhatsApp for any urgent announcements and updates.
- Snacks and water stations: Students will bring their own water from class, so please be sure to pack their water bottles that day. When the Dash is over, PTO will provide cold Capri Suns for the students.
- Accessibility accommodations: If you or someone in your party needs mobility assistance, please inform the front office upon your arrival.
VOLUNTEER
Each grade is on the field for about 30 minutes, and volunteer shifts coincide with each grade. This way, the children can see their parents, guardians, and grandparents as they run!
- Roles needed and what each does:
- Set up team: Arrives early and assists with set up of tables, inflatables, and spectator area. (approx 60 minutes)
- Check in team: Assists OTHER grades with check in (for example, a 4th grade parent would help check in Kindergarten spectators and volunteers so a Kinder adult isn’t missing their grade run). (approx 45 minutes)
- Grade Leads: Explain bib marking/pass out & collect markers; helps keep track of timing; conduct handoff to next grade (approx 45 minutes)
- Bib markers: Marks each runner’s bib on their back as they complete a lap, helping them keep track (approx 30 minutes)
- Refreshment team: Toward the end of each grade’s run, volunteers will set up and hand out cold Capri Suns to students before they go back to class. (approx 15 minutes)
- Photographers: Snap great photos to be used in the Yearbook. (approx 30 minutes)
- Sign-up link: CLICK HERE
- Raptor information: Volunteers must be Raptor-approved to help. Click here to review BSD's Raptor process and get started. Please note: It can take 2 - 3 weeks for processing to complete.
- Day-of check-in: Volunteers and Spectators should pre-register to allow for faster check in. If pre-registered, simply check in at the front outside and locate your Volunteer or Visitor badge, then you will be directed to the playground/field area where the Dash will occur.
- If you are not pre-registered, you will check in in the front office via the Raptor console.
- Non-day-of ways to help: There are a number of ways to help before the Dash, at the school, or from home. Click here to review open Dragon Dash Committee roles and reach out to us if you’re interested. Anyone can contribute any amount of time and make an impact, and children love to know their adults are involved.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Does my child have to raise money to participate?
- No! Pledgestar registration is 100% free.
- What if we can't donate?
- Prizes are awarded just for registration. Once you are registered, you can send requests to friends, family, neighbors, and community members and request that they donate. Donations start at just $10!
- Is my donation tax-deductible? Will I get a receipt?
- Yes it is. PledgeStar automatically sends an email payment receipt to donors as soon as an online donation is completed. It will include Findley PTO’s tax ID (EIN), the amount given, date, and student supported, as well as a built-in thank you note from the fundraiser.
- How long is the run / how far do they go?
- The run time is about 20 minutes and is separated by grade (Kindergarten runs for 15 minutes). They will run around the track in the back field. Runners may run, walk, or skip as many laps as they like.
- What if my child is sick or absent on Dash Day?
- They’ll miss the run but not all the fun! Throughout the Dragon Dash, there are opportunities for prizes, and appearances by Sparky the Dragon. All our Findley Dragons will receive a cool prize just for being Findley Dragons!
- Can people out of state donate?
- Anyone may donate from any part of the world! Include their phone number or email on the donors contact list in PledgeStar and let them do the work for you.
- Can I donate without using PledgeStar?
- Donations made outside of PledgeStar may be made via check out to Findley PTO and brought into the front office. To ensure your student gets credit, please write “[STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME] - Dragon Dash 2026” in the memo section. Checks must be delivered by Thursday October 16th to be included in the Dash.
- When do prizes get handed out?
- During and after the dash, depending on the prize. Most of our prizes will be delivered after the Dash is over.
SPONSORS
We want to thank our generous sponsors from the community!
DIAMOND SPONSORS:
Noyes Development Co.
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Coming soon!
GOLD SPONSORS:
Coming soon!
sILVER SPONSORS:
Play Fit Fun
Handel's Ice Cream
Kingpins
Old Spaghetti Factory
Cold Stone Creamery
WANT TO BECOME A COMPANY SPONSOR?
Findley PTO is so grateful for the local businesses and families who help make our school year possible. Your sponsorship directly supports student events, classroom resources, and community celebrations like Dragon Dash and the Fall Festival — and it's a great way to get your name in front of hundreds of Findley families. Thank you for considering a partnership with us!
Click here to submit your sponsorship bid
Deadline for logos: September 16
💎 Diamond Sponsor — $2,000
- All Silver, Gold & Platinum benefits
- Permission to hang your company banner on the school fence
- Top logo placement on Dragon Dash t-shirts, the PledgeStar page, and the new Sponsor Banner
- Your own branded booth at Dragon Dash on race day*
*BSD Visitor/Volunteer application required.
🥈 Platinum Sponsor — $1,000
- All Silver & Gold Sponsor benefits
- Large logo on a shared sponsor banner
- Optional booth at our Fall Festival to share treats, games, or promotional items
🥇 Gold Sponsor — $600
- All Silver Sponsor benefits
- Logo on a shared sponsor banner
- Logo on the back of every student's official Dragon Dash t-shirt (t-shirt deadline: September 16)
⭐ Silver Sponsor — Any donation, gift card, or service
- Logo on the PTO website & social media
- Recognition on our Dragon Dash PledgeStar page