Back when our daughter Kelly was 16—almost ten years ago!—we waited in the stadium stands as she prepared to run the 100 meter dash in the state Special Olympics games at UT-Arlington. Kelly was running against two other girls, one much taller and leaner than she, and at first sight a shoo-in to win the race.

The starting gun fired. The three girls began their sprint, the tall girl quickly taking the lead. We were not surprised: running was never Kelly's forte. Her running form consists of a lopsided gallop not amenable to building speed. But as the trio approached the stands, Kelly caught sight of us and our band of Comet supporters, and heard us shouting encouragement. Something clicked. After a quick glance upward into the stands she simply went into overdrive.

Neither we nor Kelly's teachers or coaches had ever seen her put forth such an effort. With her face screwed up into a look of sheer determination, she pumped her chubby legs faster and faster. We went wild in the stands as she approached and then took the lead just as they approached the finish line.

She won first place. We were delirious with pride.

A few days later, Jerry and I sat in a restaurant talking about Kelly's win. "Maybe we should start a 10K run to benefit the Ranch," he said. I thought about the 60 0r 70 runners we'd need if we began a new event and said, "We don't need a handful of people running ten kilometers, we need 10,000 people giving us money!"

A look of concentration furrowed Jerry's brow, as this idea took root. Suddenly he cried, "That's it! 10K and a quarter a day!" He'd already done the math, and said, "That would provide all the money we'd need!"

And so the 10K was born.

Has it been a success? Yes and no. We remain far below our goal of 10,000 people, but the good news is almost everyone donates at least twice the $7.50 minimum participation rate to be in the 10K.

"10K-ers," as they're known, provide the funds that get us through the hard times, maintaining the quality of life we are dedicated to providing our residents.

And you're welcome to join us in the 10K, at whatever level works for you.

Your contribution helps fund the programs that 400 campers and a residential community of 21 and growing depend on.

Just click here and join the 10K!