We’re Racing For Our Students (And to Dump A Cup of Water On Our Heads)
This Friday, the race is on.
This Friday at 10:30am, Head of School Mike Simpson, Board President Sarah Hurley, and Dean of Students Alex Funnell will walk out of Stone, turn left, and race each other to Tellus360.
The winner?
The first one who gets to Tellus360, orders a cup of water, and dumps it on their head.
This is how we spend our ExtraGive — we call it the ExtraRace, and we run the race to generate support for our financial aid program at Stone. Stone is one of only a few truly need blind schools in the country, and we use events like the ExtraGive to generate support for our financial aid program and for our students. Every single dollar we raise during the ExtraGive goes to our financial aid program, and — best of all — every single person who supports Stone right here during the ExtraGive can impact the race. Here’s how it works:
Dean of Students Alex Funnell made it to Tellus360 first, and dumped the ceremonial Extra Cup of Water on his head.
Every $2,500 that we raise will “unlock” a new challenge that the racers will have to complete before they get to Tellus360. Like, if Stone raises $2,500, the racers will have to track down Sam Bressi wherever he is and get a photograph with him. Like, if Stone raises $10,000, they will have to sing “Lover” to a group of 25 people. (Like: if Stone somehow raises $100,000, the racers have to get tattoos.)
But, the racers have supporters who can help them move more quickly! If you’re a fan of a racer, you can give directly to that racer and they will get bonuses. For example: healthy snacks, access to a RAZR scooter, or the opportunity to scratch one challenge off your list;
But! The racers have detractors who can slow them down. If you want to slow a racer down, give to that racer’s “slow down” fund, and they will have to complete additional challenges – from finding someone who speaks French and discussing the weather with them, to doing Yoga With Adriene at Binn’s Park, to camping out under the stars.
And! The racers may have sponsors! Anyone who wants to choose what a racer wears during the race – a logo, a chicken suit, whatever – can sponsor a racer for $2,500. Anyone who wants to choose what a racer carries in their backpack – Clif bars! Gatorade! Mayonnaise! A can of corn! A brick! – can be a Backpack Sponsor for $1,000.
(Mike already has a Backpack Sponsor. It’s probably not going to go great for him.)
BUT. There’s one other thing. There’s a “Send a Racer to California” button. That one costs a lot, but it would be funny if it happened!
AND. Every single person who supports Stone during The ExtraGive will receive the GPS location of the racers and will have the opportunity to vote on hourly challenges thrown into the race until it’s all over.
If you support Stone, you can play along at home!!
We aren’t just doing this because we like funny games at Stone (though we do like funny games at Stone): we’re doing this because every dollar we receive goes to fund our Financial Aid program. Though we are a young, tuition-based school we meet 100% of our students' demonstrated financial need – and it’s your support of this “extraordinary” race that will help us continue to do so forever.