100% of funds raised will help Peggy Fort with long-term care including much-needed caregivers, essential equipment, and medical expenses as she courageously battles ALS.

Peggy has always been a great athlete. Prior to diagnosis, she ran 23 marathons as a charity runner– all of which was to raise money for cancer research. Throughout her career, she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for many worthwhile charitable organizations and always prioritized giving back to the community.

There is no cure for ALS which takes away the freedom to walk, talk, run, laugh, hug, eat and breathe. Despite the diagnosis, Peggy remains courageous and hopeful. “The day I was diagnosed was the shock of my life. I have always been so healthy and full of energy. Life is much more of a challenge now. I have always loved a challenge and am determined not to let ALS define my life.”

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County provides a powerful voice and a meaningful connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Funds raised from the Spirit Run will go towards the recruitment, training and supervision of more CASA volunteers to be matched with the other 260+ youth that are currently in the OC child welfare system and on the CASA waiting list. Learn more at www.casaoc.org.

College Park’s Wave Runners Running Club is a volunteer-led club open to students from PreK through 6th Grade. Our goal is to promote fitness, endurance, perseverance, and sportsmanship for these young runners. We participate in events organized by Kids Run the OC, a training program in which students run a cumulative 26.2 miles over the course of 12 weeks. Funds raised by our school will be used to cover the costs of our weekly training and our participation in the Kids Run the OC race on May 4, 2024.

CdM will use the funds to support students on campus through teacher requests for support beyond their department budgets.

Newport Mesa Spirit Run, Inc. (NMSRI) is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2010 to continue the annual Spirit Run. In addition to presenting Spirit Run, NMSRI's Board is dedicated to providing the opportunity for as many children as possible to participate in Spirit Run. Each year since 2010, NMSRI has donated free event entries and bus transportation to underprivileged children.

We could use your help. Please donate to help provide an underprivileged child a free Spirit Run entry. Thank you!

The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program is an ocean-based program for youth ages 9 to 15. It focuses on educating participants to recognize potential hazardous conditions associated with an ever-changing aquatic environment. Funds raised will support the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Scholarship fund, which aims to bring ocean education and safety to underserved youth.

OC GRIT is a gritty youth running team based in Orange County that focuses on developing runners for life by preparing kids physically and mentally for competition on the trails, the track, and the road.

Money raised from the fundraiser will be used to acquire a track to train on during the 2023 track season.