On March 4th, we held our annual Race 2 Remember Them, benefiting children and families attending The WARM Place. The race was held at Acme Brick Co. along the beautiful Trinity Trails, where racers signed up to take on either the 1 Mile Fun Run or 5K race. We are thrilled to announce that with the help of our supporters like YOU, we raised over $55,000 for The WARM Place!
The one thing we can’t plan for with this event is whether temperatures will favor the end of winter, or the beginning of spring. We were so pleased that Mother Nature chose right in the middle, and the sunshine was in no short supply all morning for the racers.
Jeremy Raines, President of our Board of Directors, kicked off the morning by welcoming everyone to the race! Two children currently attending group, Gabriel and Isabel, led the crowd in the pledge of allegiance. Then we had a very special addition from a current WARM Place parent. Renee Hines has been attending The WARM Place for almost two years with her children, after the loss of her husband Corey. She shared a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the race and expressed gratitude for those who showed up in memory of Corey. Dana Minor, Program Director, led the crowd in a moment of remembrance for the very loved ones we all walked for. And lastly, Executive Director, Shelley Bettis, introduced Fort Worth Jazzercise who got everyone’s heart rates ready to race!
Our race began with the “Mile of Memories,” which showcased customized race signs along the 1 mile route. These race signs were purchased in honor or in memory of a loved one. Many participants commented on how seeing the pictures of loved ones along the trail motivated them along their run. Racers also honored loved ones by carrying pictures on them in their memory holders as they raced and also recognized them at our Wall of Memories.
There were several activities for participants to enjoy after they finished racing. Our Finish Line Celebration included face painting, hair painting, games, an inflatable obstacle course and more! The day ended with the Awards Ceremony, where we recognized our fastest runners and our WARM Place Warriors, who raised $250+ on their fundraising pages for The WARM Place!
We are so grateful to the teams, racers, volunteers, and sponsors who showed up in such an amazing way to ensure that no child will ever have to grieve alone!
R2RT 2023 Stats:
- 633 individuals registered
- 49 teams registered
- 20 WARM Place Warriors each raising over $250 through their team fundraising pages
- Of those 20 WARM Place Warriors, 5 teams each raised over $1,000
