Amplify: RED Day Run handed out $220,000 to eight Edmond-area nonprofits

Edmond’s largest charitable run, the RED Day Run, handed out $220,000 to eight Edmond-area nonprofits at the “Thank You” Finish Line Breakfast Tuesday morning, again breaking the record for the largest contribution made in RED Day history. This brings the organization’s 7-year giving total to $896,500. Saturday’s virtual 5K and 1-mile Fun Run had 1,564 registered runners, walkers, and volunteers.

“Today, the RED Day Run gave away $220,000, and I want to tell you something,” began Mo Anderson, 2021 RED Day Run Marquee Sponsor, Vice Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams Realty, International and longtime Edmond resident. “You all sell thousands of houses, but you are known for your charitable work in the community. The truth is, your charitable work is more important, and don’t ever forget that!” She then turned to rev up the crowd largely made up of realtors, mortgage lenders, insurance agents, charities, and volunteers. “Now, what’s our goal for next year?!”

The October 23rd event was presented in part by Steve and Linda Slawson, Keller Williams Central Oklahoma, Gateway Mortgage OKC, Brad Reeser, Certainty Home Loans, Stewart Title Oklahoma, Chicago Title Oklahoma, Arvest Bank, and Metro OKC Insurance.

The eight nonprofits that benefited from the Run were Wings Special Needs Community,  Project 66 Food & Resource Center, Pepper’s Ranch Foster Care Community, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma, Folds of Honor Oklahoma, Edmond Public Schools Foundation, Edmond Mobile meals, and OKC Dream Center.

The organizations received the funds raised from registrations, sponsorships, and donations on a pro-rata basis based on the number of votes each charity receives. Participants were able to choose which charity their vote goes toward when registering or donating.

Finishing first in the voting was Project 66 food pantry. They received 25% of the total amount raised, equaling $55,000 to further their mission.

In second place was Wings Special Needs Community, which was presented with $44,000 to continue helping enhance the lives of those with special needs in Edmond.

The Edmond Public Schools Foundation  came in third place, receiving $33,000, which will go toward filling the gaps left by state and federal funding.

Finishing fourth in the voting was Folds of Honor Oklahoma, and was awarded $22,000. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the families of veterans.

Peppers Ranch took the 5th place slot and with it, $13,200. Peppers Ranch is a foster care community here in town.

The 6th and 7th place finishers, Edmond Mobile Meals and Make-A-Wish Oklahoma, respectively. The organizations received 5% of the funds raised, or $11,000 each.

Last but certainly not least was OKC Dream Center. They walked away with $8,800 which will be put toward providing services for men in need here in Edmond.

Ten percent of the money raised is reserved for other charities. Each of the following organizations received $2,000: All Things Baby, Angels Foster Family Network, Anna’s House Foundation, Citizens Caring for Children, Filling Tummies, Fostering Sweet Dreams, Halo Project, K Club for Kindness, Project 31, Turning Point Ministries, and UR Special Ministries.

“No one in Edmond does what the RED Day Run does,” said sponsorship chair and longtime Edmond Realtor, Brad Reeser. “We are very careful to ensure the money distributed goes to help a variety of causes meeting the needs of those right here in our backyard.”

In 2020, the RED Day Run distributed $215,000 to eight local charities. Since the event’s inception in 2014, nearly $900,000 has been raised and distributed by realtors, affiliates, and runners for those most in need in and around Edmond.

Introduced in 2009, RED Day was created by Keller Williams Realty International to recognize the leadership of KW Vice-Chairman of the Board and Edmond resident, Mo Anderson, in crafting the culture of the company. Giving back to the community in which KW realtors live and work is at the heart of this company culture. Designed to fulfill the ‘Giving Where You Live’ montre, RED Day is internationally celebrated the second week of May.

The company-wide day of giving earned its moniker from the signature hue of the real estate company and also serves as an acronym of the principles describing our goal: Renew, Energize, Donate.

Each Keller Williams market center is free to choose how they spend that day, and the RED Day Run is Central Oklahoma’s version. In 2014, the Edmond market center decided to transition the day of service to a day of fundraising, widening the scope of those impacted by their efforts.

To join us next year and for more information about the RED Day Run,  visit www.redday.com, or call 405-330-2626. To learn more about Keller Williams and the RED Day of service, go to http://www.kw.com/kw/redday.