Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD) raised $61,711.52 for the March of Dimes foundation this year making them the largest donating school district in the country.
VVUSD began supporting March of Dimes in 2002 and has raised over $338,000 in that time. All 22 Val Verde school sites and the District Office raise funds each year in a friendly competition. The 2019 champions are Triple Crown Elementary School raising $11,784.00, the District Office raising $6,176.00, and Lasselle Elementary School raising $4,516.33.
The yearly culmination of the fundraising was held at the Inland Empire March for Babies Walk on May 4, 2019, where over 150 VVUSD employees and their families represented the district. Kicking off the walk, Olivia Ximines, a sophomore from Orange Vista High School sang the National Anthem. Cheerleaders from Rancho Verde High School cheered on the walkers as they crossed the finish line. Student photographers from Rancho Verde High School snapped shots of all the attendees at the event. “From the cradle to college, Val Verde cares about our communities’ children,” said Rae Dunn, Val Verde March of Dimes Coordinator. “This is a foundation that we believe in and are proud to partner with.” This year was an especially important year for Val Verde Unified School District’s participation with March of Dimes. Superintendent Michael R. McCormick was honored as Chairman of the Inland Empire Walk. “Having gone through my own experiences with NICU and the amazing work that doctors and nurses do to ensure that families are healthy and safe, it was a tremendous honor to be this year’s Chairman. This is an organization that is near and dear to my heart, and I am proud of the donations and charitable contributions that the Val Verde community has collected in support of March of Dimes.”
Kristen Webb, a teacher with Val Verde, and her family were chosen to be the Ambassador Family for 2019. “I was honored to be the Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes Inland Empire walk. This was an amazing opportunity for us to share Jamar’s story in hopes that it can help someone else out there who is dealing with the same type of loss. I want other moms to know they are not alone and there is someone out there who has felt the same pain they are feeling. We also love to share Jayla’s story because she truly is a miracle and fought to stay in this world. Being the ambassador family has been a blessing for my family and these moments continue to help heal our hearts. In addition, I had the opportunity to join all of the Val Verde Unified School District staff members in the walk. It was astonishing to see the support and commitment of the district to help save all babies. I am honored to work alongside all of the wonderful people at Val Verde Unified School District. I love the friendly competition we have here at this district in raising money and that we continue to be excited about this year after year.”