The 5th annual Donut Dash was a huge success, raising $40,000 for the Child Life program at Sutter Memorial Hospital. The event is unlike any other, with a distance of four miles, which includes some tasty donuts.
Zack Wandell, founder and coordinator of the donut dash, started this event after hearing about the Krispy Kreme donut challenge at North Carolina University. Wandell began volunteering at Sutter Hospital in 2004. “Over the years, I saw that there was a need just for more money to be able to do more things for the kids while they are in the hospital,” said Wandell. The Donut Dash starts at William Land Park, where you will receive your bib; you run to Marie’s Donuts, which, depending on your color bib, you eat four donuts or six donut holes, and dash back to William Land Park.
The first Donut Dash happened in 2009, with only 25 people participating and raising $1,000. This year, there were over 2,000 people involved and more than $40,000 was raised for the children at Sutter Memorial.
Starting off the competitive race was Emily Lucero, a patient from Sutter Memorial, and Kellie Demarco from KCRA Channel 3 News. “The Donut Dash is very important to me because it gives the kids, and me, the opportunity to have more toys at Sutter Memorial Hospital,” said Lucero. This was Demarco’s first time participating in the event. “We are raising money for all of the children who are at Sutter Memorial. They need help from us. They are in the hospital for months at a time and we here raising money to buy them toys and the little things that make them happy.”
Starting off the non-competitive race was Ryan and Julie Murdock, along with their children, in turn, making this an extra special event for the family. One of their sons was a patient at Sutter Memorial and passed away last year. “This is important to us because it supports a program that helped our son that he loved and that helped him get through a lot of hard things,” said Mrs. Murdock.
Wandell says he has two proudest moments throughout the event. First is when the race is about to start. “Everybody is here having fun, and the kids are smiling, the kids are having fun, and everything is done.” Another moment that has made Wendell proud is, “When we get feedback on the Facebook site from parents that are grateful for what the funds are being used for to benefit their children.”
The Donut Dash is family oriented — including dogs. Doggie donuts were provided by Animal Pet Resort & Spa. Owner Lisa Chafee stressed why it was important for her company to be involved with the Dash. “We know a lot of people that support children events have dogs, so we like to extend our services,” said Chafee.
William Land Park was filled with people of different ages, each person having a different reason for why the Donut Dash is important to them.
