DAPHNE, Ala. — Supporting Educational Enrich-ment in Daphne’s Schools on March 1 sponsored its annual Classic Rock 5K and Fun Run, hoping people would exercise for education. Turns out they did, to the tune of approximately $15,000, a record for the fundraiser that benefits public and private schools, according to a spokesperson.

The race exceeded last year’s proceeds by one-third — “pretty good, huh?” Denise D’Oliveira, of SEEDS, said.

“I would say we had approximately 1,300 registrations,” she said. “We’re up a good, I’d say, at least 300 over the last year.”

Last year’s event raised approximately $10,000, she said, adding that the money goes toward the nonprofit’s annual classroom enrichment grant (last year’s grants, totaling $28,500, enabled several Daphne teachers to implement innovative tools and methods); a portion will help fund scholarships for prospective students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which Daphne High School will implement next fall; some will go toward SEEDS’ summer learning sessions under its Lyceum program; and ongoing initiatives for character education programs, D’Oliveira said.

Chief of SEEDS’ initiatives, perhaps, is the classroom enrichment grants, as the organization ensures it continues.

“At this point, we’re sort of earmarking at least $25,000 each year” (for the grant program), D’Oliveira said of fundraising efforts.

Last year, the organization had a little help to surpass that figure.

“We were able to grant every proposal that a Daphne teacher submitted because state Representative Randy Davis gave us an additional $4,500 in state discretionary funds,” D’Oliveira said.

The March 1 event was the fourth race SEEDS sponsored; the organization officially began in 2005.

“In addition to our primary function-— to work together to bring progress to our schools — most important success is the way in which all our projects provide for the community to become partners in education,” D’Oliveira said. “The foundation gives everyone an opportunity to get involved.

“We have tremendously dedicated PTA and PTO in each individual school,” she added. “This gives everyone an opportunity to step out of that role and participate in a collective way that’s really beginning to pay big dividends for Daphne.

“This is working because it’s not only parents involved. People that may not have children in school are still working to improve education.”

For more on SEEDS, see the Web site, seedsindaphne.org, or call 656-SEED.

(Staff Writer Jessica Jones contributed to this report.)