The 7th annual Run for Hope 5K was held May 1, with Brentwood residents out in full force to support the cause.
Brentwood’s Our House donor Lorin Michaels attended the run, the Brentwood High School Acapella Group performed at the event and Belwood Bakery, and the Brentwood Starbucks both donated items and their services, organizers said.
The event was held at the West LA Civic Center, with Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin honoring the memory of former Councilman Bill Rosendahl.
Councilman Bonin kicked off the run at the starting line, in memory and in honor of Bill.
“We were proud to honor Councilman Bill Rosendahl at the run, and celebrate his memory while uniting the community in the memory of their loved ones,” said Michele Prince, Executive Director, Our House Grief Support Center.
Run for Hope 5K is organized by Our House Grief Support Center and raises money for “essential grief support services and the collective benefit of our community.”
The event is a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the memory of loved ones who have died, with this year’s event drawing close to 1,700 participants who raised $470,000 dollars to provide grief support directly to adults and children.
The event featured an In-Memory Ceremony, a 5K Run/Walk and Kid Zone Festival. Many participants wore personalized T-shirts with photos of their loved ones who have died.
Awards went to the largest and most successful teams, including the largest team: Team Victoria with 52 participants and the biggest team fundraiser: Team Shirley Levine raising $10,000.
“The presenting sponsors – The Hollander Family and Karma Rescue – further exemplified community commitment by bringing smiles to participants with a dog-kissing booth where some received a smooch by a pooch,” organizers said.
Karma Rescue also brought their rescue dogs, as many who are mourning the death of a loved one are often calmed and reassured by the loving companionship of a pet.
