5K Walk/Run for Kids!

He patiently stood in line waiting for his running bib at our RUN4KIDS 5k Family Fun Run. I

approached and asked him how I could help, “I registered to run, can you find my name?” I

looked. His name wasn’t on our registration records. “Perhaps you have your receipt on your

phone that you can show me?” He said he would, and sat down scrolling his phone. I helped

other runners, and turned to see him still searching through his phone. “Can I help?” “Yeah, I

can’t find a receipt. I don’t think I registered after all.” “That’s okay, you can pay in cash,

Venmo, or text RUN4KIDS at 53-555 to pay the race fee”. He looked not only disappointed, but

dejected. “I will go to my car and find some cash, but I don’t think I have enough.” “That’s

okay. Bring what you have, and we will make it work.” He was right, he didn’t have the

amount, but by that time the race was about to start. I sensed that it was very important to

him that he run that morning. And, some decisions just shouldn’t be all about money, but

about people offering what they have. We are a nonprofit after all. “Give what you have, go

run, and I will see you at the finish line. We can settle up later.” I wrote down his name,

contact information, accepted his crumpled-up cash, and off he went. And guess what? He

won the race! A crowd of volunteers cheered him on as he rounded the corner, giving all he

had, and passed under the finish arch.

At the end of the race, we gathered to celebrate, “the winners”. It was more than just 1 st , 2 nd ,

3 rd , we had several categories. When it was his turn to accept his award, I asked him to say a

few words. “I have a story. It’s not pretty. It hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve gone through a lot,

and I’m recovering. I’m glad I could run for kids that really need help, ‘cuz I know what that

feels like.” And it became crystal clear to me why it was important for him to run that morning.

Maybe he was running for the kid he once was, that needed a safe adult who had his back and

would cheer for him. He won that race because he deserved to be applauded for his efforts,

he deserved to be cheered for and celebrated. And this, is the work that Rebound Families

does. We listen, encourage, support, and cheer. And we CELEBRATE effort!

Thank you for understanding that.

Keri