This past Saturday, several thousand enthusiastic Angelenos gathered in the early morning at Elysian Park in Dodger Stadium to run, walk or stroll for the Big 5 LA 5k – a fundraising event supporting organizations doing exceptional work in the city.
The event brought together a diverse group of people in support of Heart of Los Angeles—from board members to teaching artists, staff, students, and volunteers taking part in the race while raising money for our cause. Among the crowd were 33 runners, 15 students, and 18 volunteers, including board member Zach Woolridge, volunteer Isaac and long-time donor Jane who is currently our top fundraiser.
Wooldridge says this hits home for him, “I’ve been part of the board at Heart of LA for 3 years now. A lot of the work they’re doing in Central and South LA is pivotal for those communities, so anything I can do to raise funds, assist the staff. Tony Brown is a great leader, I’m from LA […] I’m really happy to be a part of the work” he said.
Meanwhile, Isaac has also seen the impact Heart of LA has on the ground, so he wanted to give back anyway he could: “I’m a teacher at LAUSD, so I know programs like Heart of LA are pivotal to student success and being inclusive in communities. Being a part of this and being able to support any way I can give back to the love I have for the city and to the kids of Los Angeles,” he said.
Every dollar raised for the 5k supports transformative programming, directly benefiting the communities we serve. For the Bridges students who trained with Bridges Director Silvia Espana, it was an unforgettable experience.
Bridges students offered some valuable advice to newcomers about finding your rhythm, “keep your pace and track your breathing,” said Carlos.
“Do it, don’t be scared and take the risk,” said Alex.
For Alex, it was equally rewarding, “It was challenging, but it was a lot of fun, too. I’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
Cristina Briskie-Wood, Chief Development Officer, shared why events like the LA5k are so important:
“An event like the LA5k provides potential donors with a different way to engage that goes beyond just writing a check. Events like these, with fundraising leaderboards and that culminate in a physical activity provide a real sense of community. For a place like Heart of LA, where community is so important, giving donor chances to get in on the sense of belonging really can make a difference.”
So far, the fundraiser has raised an impressive $7,000, with a goal of reaching $10,000. There’s still time to contribute with funds raised going directly toward supporting Bridges students who participated in the race, helping cover their costs and ensure they can continue to grow and thrive in their programs. The fundraising deadline is April 11, so don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference.
Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to support these incredible young people and our community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made this event such a success. Hit the button below to donate.
