Race for Education

Each year Race for Education is our kick off fundraising event that is instrumental in providing a quality education for children at Shalom Christian Academy. Race for Education funds are used to support Shalom's annual fund.

We are using PledgeStar. - What is PledgeStar?

Pledgestar is an awesome web based fundraising system that makes it much easier for you to request pledges from your family and friends, and for them to make secure credit card donations online. It's fun, it's easy, and people who use it typically raise twice as much as those who don't!

Remember, our Race for Education 2025 is a PreK - 2nd Grade run on October 1; 3rd -12th Grade run on October 2, so please register now to help our school raise as much as we can for quality and essential curriculum materials for our school, along with helping offset tuition costs and making our school more affordable. Families are invited to support their runners on Race Day at Antrim Brethren in Christ Church on Rt. 11. Bring a lawn chair and cheer them on!

Please submit your pledge requests by Friday, October 3 to be part of this important effort. See the prize list at http://ShalomChristian.pledgestar.com/

Questions? Email raceforeducation@shalomca.com.

Directions for Using Pledgestar to Get Pledges

HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS - You can register with a computer or with phone/tablet

Using your computer's browser:

Go to http://ShalomChristian.pledgestar.com/
Click "Not Registered For This Year's Event"
Enter your name and email address, then click "Submit"
Follow the instructions on-screen to register Runner(s) and add family and friends

When you finish, the system emails pledge requests to your family and friends, and allows them to make secure credit card donations online. You get notified each time a pledge is made, and you can track your pledge progress online.

Call 1-888-598-7510 if you need help.

Returning families, be sure to click Import from Previous Event to load your contacts from last year.

2025 Race for Education Dates & Location

Wednesday, October 1

PreK: 10:00 am - 10:45 am (30 min obstacle course)
Kindergarten: 11:00 am - 11:45 am (30 min obstacle course)
1st & 2nd grade: 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm (30 min traditional race)

Thursday, October 2

3rd - 5th grade: 9:15 am - 10:15 am (45 min race - Timber Hill Timing)
6th - 8th grade: 10:30 am - 11:30 am (45 min race - Timber Hill Timing)
9th - 12th grade: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (45 min race - Timber Hill Timing)

Location - Antrim Brethren in Christ Church is hosting our Race For Education for 2025. The church is located on Rt. 11.

Volunteer at Race for Education

Prizes

For students to earn the prizes you need to submit the following pledge requests -

PreK-5th graders - submit 15 pledge request names into the PledgeStar system.
6th-8th graders - submit 20 pledge request names into the PledgeStar system.
9th-12th graders - submit 25 pledge request names into the PledgeStar system

See the **NEW FOR 2025** prize list here -http://pledgestar.com/ShalomChristian

FAQ's

How does PledgeStar handle "per lap" pledges?

PledgeStar allows both flat and per unit pledges. For Race for Education, a unit is a lap. After the event, PledgeStar emails notifications to family and friends who made per unit pledges telling them how many units were completed, and linking them to the participant's fundraising page to make payment.

Can family and friends pay by check instead of using a credit card online?

Yes. Family and friends who elect to pay by check will be sent "pay by check" instructions. PledgeStar will even send them a reminder if they forget to send the check.

Since PledgeStar knows the check is coming, it makes it easy for you to confirm receipt. It also automatically splits the money evenly between participants in the same family.

Checks typically account for 17% of the donations received through PledgeStar. Of course, credit card processing fees do not apply to donations made by check.

We have three children. Will our family and friends get an email from each child?

No. PledgeStar sends a single pledge request for all the participants in your family. Donations to families with multiple participants get split evenly.

Example: For your three participating children, your family and friends receive a single pledge request, and a $60 donation gets split $20 per child.

What do you do with the data you collect?

PledgeStar does not use or disclose data collected on the website in any way beyond what is needed to email pledge requests, collect donations, send notifications, and provide reports.

Is online payment information secure?

Absolutely! PledgeStar uses industry standard SSL encryption to ensure credit card information can't be seen over the Internet, and it never stores credit card data internally.

Who do event staff, parents, and their families and friends contact for help?

PledgeStar provides toll-free support to parents and their family and friends. You may email questions to support@pledgestar.com or call (888) 598-7510.