Showing children from marginalized communities that they are not forgotten carries real power because it breaks through the silent message many of them grow up absorbing that opportunity belongs to someone else. When you show up for them with time energy and genuine attention you give them something far deeper than a fun event. You give them proof that they matter and that their potential is seen.
Using extra marathon medals and older race bibs for a fun run turns that message into something they can feel. A medal placed around their neck is not just a prize. It becomes a symbol that effort leads to recognition that they deserve moments of joy and that they are part of something bigger. A race bib tells them they have a place on the starting line just like anyone else.
These small gestures create memories that stay with them. They can shift how a child sees their own possibilities. When they feel included they start to imagine new paths for themselves. And when they see adults choosing to invest in them without expecting anything back it validates their worth in a way that can change how they move through the world.
The team did not just hand out medals today, they gave them a moment where they felt seen valued and included. That experience stays long after the run is over.
