Registration opens Thursday, Dec. 26th @ 10 AM PST!!!

Click to donate!

4 miles & 4 donuts….for hospitalized children!

Every March the Donut Dash is held in Land Park with a stop at Marie’s Donuts. Participants start in Land Park then run, jog, or walk 2 miles to Marie’s Donuts. At Marie’s, participants consume 4 donuts (competitive division), 3 donuts (noncompetitive), 6 donut holes, OR nothing at all before making their way back the 2 miles to the start/finish area.

Proceeds from the Donut Dash are used to benefit hospitalized children via the Child Life Programs at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento & UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Donated funds are used for programs including Beads of Courage & Music Therapy. Activities funded include 24/7 movie channels, virtual reality goggles, augmented reality, video game machines, iPad’s, art projects, games, toys, movies, video games, and exercise equipment. These programs and activities are designed to help children and families cope with their medical experiences, educate children about their illnesses, prepare them for procedures and surgeries, offer normal childhood play experiences, and celebrate holidays and special events during hospitalization.

After a successful first Donut Dash in 2009, Donut Dash 501(c)3 was started in 2010 to raise funds for the Child Life Program at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento. Starting with Donut Dash Ate in 2016, the Child Life Program at UC Davis Children’s Hospital was added as a beneficiary. This expansion has allowed Donut Dash funds to benefit even more hospitalized children!

In January 2024, the “Donut Dash Pediatrics Unit” on the 2nd floor was named in recognition of $1,000,000 donated to the Child Life Program at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, the Davis Tower 7th floor playroom was named “Powered by Donut Dash” in recognition of $500,000 donated to the Child Life Program.

History of Giving

To date, Donut Dash 501(c)3 has donated $1,674,500 (through December 2024) to Sacramento area Child Life Programs and nonprofits. Cash & in-kind donation totals include funds raised by the Donut Dash, The Duck Dash, Scoop Scoot, & other events.
2009 – Donut Dash – $1500
2010 – Donut Dash 2.0 – $3500
2011 – Donut Dash III – $15,000
2012 – Donut Dash 4-4-4-4 – $35,000
2013 – Donut Dash No5 & The Duck Dash – $60,000
2014 – Donut Dash Seis & The Duck Dash – $61,000
2015 – Donut Dash Lucky #7 ($80,000) & The Duck Dash ($11,000) = $91,000
2016 – Donut Dash Ate ($100,000) & The Duck Dash ($20,000) = $120,000
2017 – Donut Dash Niner ($110,000), The Duck Dash ($20,000), & Scoop Scoot ($20,000) = $150,000
2018 – Donut Dash X ($120,000), The Duck Dash ($35,000), & Scoop Scoot ($25,000) = $180,000
2019 – Donut Dash 11:11 ($125,000), The Duck Dash ($30,000), & Scoop Scoot ($25,000) = $180,000
2020 – Donut Dash Dozen ($125,000), The Duck Dash ($20,500), Scoop Scoot ($8,000), & Misc ($5,000) = $158,500
2021 – Donut Dash Teenager ($78,000), The Duck Dash ($20,000), & Scoop Scoot ($22,000) = $120,000
2022 – Donut Dash Fourteener ($105,000), The Duck Dash ($20,000), and Scoop Scoot ($45,000) = $170,000
2023 – Donut Dash Quinceañera ($105,000), The Duck Dash ($10,000), and Scoop Scoot ($35,000) = $150,000
2024 – Donut Dash Sweet 16 ($130,000), The Duck Dash ($5,000), and Scoop Scoot ($44,000) = $179,000

About Donut Dash 501(c)3

So you feel confident with your donations and participation, Donut Dash 501(c)3 (Tax ID 27-1671648) is run entirely by volunteers. Expenses from events are offset by goods and donations from sponsors so that 100% of your registration and/or donation is directed to the Child Life Programs. Donut Dash is committed to funding programs, activities, and “fun stuff” that children use on a daily basis during hospitalization and procedures. Although important, donations do not fund research, medical equipment, or staff positions.