For 65 years Holy Family School in McKinney has been in the business of futures.
"We know Pre-K can change a child's entire life," said Stephanie Van Kirik,the Head of School for Holy Family.
Founded in 1951, Holy Family began as a Latin-American nursery to care for young children whose parents were migrant workers working on Collin County farms.
Decades later the school continues its original mission to provide quality early childhood education and care to kids of every background.
"Many people can not afford a good Pre-K and it's part of our mission to serve those families no matter what," said Van Kirk. "Even if they can't afford it we find a way because we want it for those kids."
Finding the funds to continue the school's mission can often take a miracle. That's where Nick Searles comes in.
In 2005, he helped organize the school's first Believe Run. The 10K race raises scholarship money for low-income families. He took on the challenge right after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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"The doctors at the hospital told me nobody at 41 ever lives just because nobody at 41 ever catches it," said Searles.
Not knowing if his life was ending, Searles worked to give the kids at Holy Family a start.
Ten years later the annual run has raised more than $150,000 in scholarships and Searles is cancer free. The ongoing success of the race and his recovery has given the school community more than one reason to believe.
"We all have limited time here and doing good is very important to everybody."
The annual Believe Run draws more than 1,200 runners for a fun and challenging course through the heart of McKinney.
It takes place Saturday, Nov. 28 and money raised goes straight to the Holy Family scholarship fund. For more information click here.
