Valerie’s House, Franz Ross YMCA Partner in Virtual 5K to Bring Awareness to Children’s Grief

The Virtual Hero 5K will take place Nov. 19th - 26th

Fort Myers, FloridaNovember 3rd, 2020 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida with the sole focus of helping children grieve, and the Franz Ross YMCA, a nonprofit that strengthens our community with programs that teach, connect and encourage, invite the public to honor Children’s Grief Awareness month by participating in their Virtual Hero 5K, November 19-26.

Participants can run or walk whenever and wherever they choose. In a community-wide initiative to recognize grieving children, registration fees will be donated to help kids who are grieving the death of a family member receive mentoring, support, and counseling at Valerie’s House. Proceeds will also be put towards funding scholarships for youth programs at the Y in Port Charlotte.

“A lot of the families at Valerie’s House have been anticipating this special event to honor their loved one,” said Valerie’s House Founder & CEO Angela Melvin. “We are hoping the entire community will join them and walk to lift up those who are walking life with grief.”

To register for the Virtual Hero 5K, visit https://valerieshouse.org/5k2020-event.

Everyone is welcomed to participate by sharing on social media using the hashtags #VhrunsforChildrensGrief #ChildrenGrieve #VHYMCANationalChildrensGriefAwareness5K #VirtualHero5KforChildrensGrief and sharing photos of themselves with the event’s free printable to honor a loved one who has died.

About Valerie’s House

As the first and only organization in Southwest Florida with the sole mission of helping children grieve, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children and their families since opening its doors in 2016. The nonprofit provides a safe, comfortable place to heal following the death of a loved one. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at their home in Fort Myers at 1762 Fowler Street and Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. The organization also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouse.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902

About the Franz Ross YMCA

The Y is an inclusive, nonprofit organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

They envision their nonprofit organization – in partnership with others – as an intergenerational community hub with programs, services, and resources available to all persons, regardless of status or ability to pay, that will enable them to improve their quality of life.

The mission of the Y is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. 

Every day, the Y strengthens communities for kids, adults, seniors and families with programs that protect, teach, connect, heal nourish and encourage.