Good afternoon and I hope all is well!

This has been a challenging year for everybody, especially non-profits who rely on donations such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater DC.

People often assume RMHCDC receives funding from McDonald’s given our name. Unfortunately, that is not the case and we rely on donations and grants to offer our services to family’s with seriously ill or injured children.

Though most of us are getting by through virtual and other distanced measure, families with seriously ill children are experiencing the added concern of COVID-19 when seeking treatment for life-threatening illnesses.

As a result, it is a more important than ever to give families a safe place to stay during this trying time.

In an effort to help, this year we are organizing a Virtual 10^th Annual Red Shoe 5K Run/Walk on Black Friday to walk off those extra pounds!!!

I would like to personally ask each of you to consider either participating or donating to this worthy cause as I personally lived in a Ronald McDonald Home in Rochester, Min when I was six (6) years old while I was undergoing multiple surgeries at the Mayo Clinic.

Although I was young and easily entertained(!), the charity truly provided a place to call home for my mother and I during this time while my father was watching my sister back home in Austin, Texas.

You never know if your child or any loved one will need long term hospital care but when you need a place to call home away from home it’s good to know there are places like the Ronald McDonald House to care for you and your family.

With that said, I would like to ask each of you to join Team FVCbank Virtual Red Shoe 5K Run/Walk Friday November 27^th!

If you can participate, please upload (appropriate!) pictures on Instagram with #RedShoe5k, #RMHCDC, #FVCbank, and #FVCbankCares

If you cannot participate, donations are greatly appreciated and welcomed!

Celebrating 10 years of the Red Shoe 5k

Originally called “Kaps for Kids,” more than 20 years ago this event began as a walk hosted by an alumni family. Then, 10 years ago, a running component was added and the Red Shoe 5k became our signature event. It has continued to grow ever since! While there have been different names and different locations, it always has the same goal at its heart.

While this year may look different, the purpose is the same – to give our community a way to come together (virtually), show support for, and make a positive impact on the families served by RMHCDC. Please join us for our 10th anniversary and biggest year yet!

You walk or run, and we’ll provide the fun.

Once you register, watch your email for links to your Virtual Goodie Bag, playlists, color-your-own mile markers, and more.  We’ll also have polls, games, and other ways to win prizes on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

NEW THIS YEAR: "Show Your Stripes" Socks

Fundraise or donate $100 or more, and we’ll send you RMHC red and white striped socks so you can #showyourstripes while your raise your feet! *One pair per fundraiser. Socks can be obtained with an outright donation of $100.” .

ABOUT RMHCDC: Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Greater Washington, DC eases the hardship of children’s illness on families through programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children.