A family-friendly 5K planned in Snoqualmie later this month aims to bring neighbors together and raise funds for families in Minnesota facing immigration-related emergencies and ongoing needs, giving local residents a chance to support them while participating in a community event close to home.
Organized by Snoqualmie Elementary School parent Mallory Hanley, along with neighbors and fellow SES moms Gracia Tharp and Kristin Fiedler, the event will take place Saturday, February 28, at Centennial Fields Park in Snoqualmie, with participants invited to run, walk, or simply attend in support of the effort.
“The idea grew out of conversations among neighbors who were deeply moved by what they were seeing and hearing about families facing urgent challenges. One of the organizers, Gracia, has roots in Minnesota and shared updates about events affecting families there, which helped ground the need in real, personal stories. From there, the concept of a community run/walk quickly took shape,” Hanley said.
Tharp explained that the event is centered on compassion and support for families rather than politics, and that keeping it nonpartisan helps ensure everyone feels welcome to participate. Hanley, Tharp, and Fiedler also wanted to organize something that reflected the area’s strong sense of care and connection while bringing people together locally to support families beyond their immediate community.
The event is open to runners, walkers, families with strollers, and community members who simply want to show up and support others, with organizers deliberately removing competitive elements to make participation accessible to everyone. The goal is to create something families, walkers, and non-runners can comfortably enjoy together.
Participants can expect a welcoming, Pacific Northwest-style event, rain or shine, with race bibs, snacks, music, local vendors and time for neighbors to gather before and after the course, creating a cheerful and relaxed community atmosphere throughout the morning.
The registration fee is $30 per participant; children under 13 may participate for free. Registration remains open until 5 p.m. on February 23 to encourage participation and donations, and organizers also welcome contributions from community members who may not attend but still want to help support families receiving assistance.*
All funds raised will be directed to Minnesota-based organizations that provide emergency legal aid, food and housing assistance, crisis support, and community services to families facing immigration-related emergencies, and organizers say 100 percent of net proceeds will go directly to support on-the-ground services.
Because there was not enough time to formally establish a nonprofit for the fundraiser, Tharp is administering the event through her local business, Coalesce WA PLLC (also known as Coalesce Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine) so funds move directly to beneficiary organizations without delay. “Transparency and trust were essential. This setup ensures that 100% of net proceeds go directly to the organizations doing the work,” Tharp said.
The event came together quickly as organizers chose to act rather than wait for perfect conditions, and community members and local businesses have already begun supporting the effort by helping spread the word and contributing in various ways. The response, she said, has been overwhelmingly positive, with many residents grateful for a welcoming way to show support while bringing neighbors together.
Organizers hope attendees leave feeling connected to both the neighbors attending and the family’s receiving assistance through locally generated donations. “We hope people leave feeling connected to each other and to the families they’re supporting. It’s about recognizing that collective care and small actions, taken together, can make a real difference,” Tharp said, adding that the event also reflects how the community shows up for others beyond geographic boundaries.
Hanley also emphasized that participation matters more than pace and encouraged people to attend in whatever way feels comfortable rather than worrying about running ability. For now, organizers say the focus remains on responding to an immediate need, with any future plans guided by community interest and future circumstances.
Looking back on the process, Tharp said collaboration among people with marketing and event planning experience, along with strong community support, has been the most meaningful part of organizing the fundraiser, and she summarized the event simply: “The Stronger Together Family 5K brings people together through movement, compassion, and community.”
Registration and additional event details are available at https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Snoqualmie/StrongerTogetherFamily5K, where community members can sign up, donate, or learn more about how the event will support families in Minnesota.
*Please note that donations made directly through this event are not tax-deductible. However, if you wish to receive a tax deduction for your donation, the organizers encourage you to donate directly to their beneficiary partners. After making a direct contribution, the organizers ask that you please send a copy of your donation receipt, so they can include it in their total impact and final fundraising report.
