The Alvin ISD Education Foundation will host the Annual Turtle Race on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at National Oak Park in Alvin. This year’s Turtle Race Title sponsor is UTMB Health and the Fun Run Title sponsor is United Healthcare. The day will start with a Kids 1K (kids 11 and under) Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. then the Family 5K Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. and the Turtle Race at noon (plastic turtles). Community members, parents, students, and staff are all encouraged to adopt turtles for the race. All proceeds from the Turtle Race benefit the students and teachers in the Alvin ISD through Innovative Teaching Grants, campus grants, and scholarships for students, teachers, and paraprofessionals and innovative projects like the Alvin ISD STEM Bus. Foundation president, Lorilyn Wynn said “The highlight of the year is when the Turtle Race proceeds fund Innovative Teaching Grants and we surprise teachers with the news that their grant is being funded! Thank you to everyone for supporting the Turtle Race!” Turtles can be adopted now for $5 by filling out an adoption form, available at the Alvin ISD Tommy King Central Administration Building as well as online at
https://publicweb.alvinisd.net/apps/district/TurtleRacePayPal/index.html.
On the day of the Turtle Race, the adopted (plastic) turtles will be taken to Mustang Bayou and dropped in from the bridge along the Tom Blakeney Hike and Bike Trail at National Oak Park in Alvin. The turtles will then “race” down the bayou to the finish line near the Adoue St. Bridge where they will be “scooped” out and the winners determined.
“Last year we had over 15,000 turtles adopted. We hope to exceed that number this year,” said Sheila Olson, executive director of the Foundation. The adopter of the first turtle to cross the finish line will win a $1,500 travel voucher, sponsored by Stantec. The adopter of the second turtle to finish will win a $1,000 shopping spree sponsored by Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, and the adopter of the third place finisher will win a $500 gift card sponsored by Texas Advantage Community Bank. Several other valuable prizes will be awarded to the adopters of subsequent turtles to cross the finish line. If weather or circumstances do not permit the race to take place, a drawing will be held to determine winners.
Before the Turtle Race, the Foundation will conduct the 12th annual 5K Family Fun Run and 1K Kids Fun Run. The Kids 1K race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 9:00 am. All registrants will receive the Fun Run t-shirt for participating and all finishers will receive the custom Turtle Race medal. The 5K course is officially certified and is a timed race. The registration link can be found at https://www.alvinisd.net/o/educationfoundation/page/turtle-race. Booth space is available for groups or individuals to sell or share items, including food vendors, games and information. Booths will be set up along the trail. For additional information visit the Education Foundation website or contact the Foundation Office at 281-331-2586, or via email at solson@alvinisd.net.
The Foundation is still in need of sponsors. All sponsors will be recognized in advertising and social media and will be included on the Turtle Race Fun Run shirt. Many sponsorship levels are available. Please contact the Foundation office for more information. Be sure to follow the Alvin ISD Education Foundation and Sheldon A. Turtle on Facebook and Twitter.
The Alvin ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) (charitable) organization established to create support for the academic programs of the district. Money raised will be used to fund student achievement and recognize and encourage staff excellence through innovative projects and ideas.