Hope Travels 5K 2024: Incredible In-Person Impact

Dozens of runners take off from the Bryn Mawr Racing Co starting line at the Hope Travels 2024 5K event. They are a mix of ages, ethnicities, and genders wearing summer-appropriate athletic gear with runner numbers on their t-shirts.

On Sunday, May 19, we held our first in-person Hope Travels 5K event.

We were so excited to reconnect with our community—from client Ambassadors to partners to volunteers—and make new connections as we came together to raise critical funds for our mission.

Hope Travels 2024 attendees mingle in a corporate parking lot with a Help Hope Live teal vendor tent visible. Several attendees are in athletic outfits with runner numbers on their shirts.

Walkers take off at the Bryn Mawr Racing Co starting line at Hope Travels 2024 outdoors. The walkers are a mix of ethnicities and ages in athletic gear with some wearing teal Hope Travels 5K t-shirts.

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Help Hope Live client ambassadors Liz Casperite and Linda Jara wear matching Help Hope Live teal polos as they stand behind the Help Hope Live info table outdoors at Hope Travels 2024. Liz has light skin, black glasses, hoop earrings, and long gray-streaked brown hair. Linda has light skin, brown hair past her shoulders, and blue eyes. On the table is a Help Hope Live Trusted Medical Fundraising banner with teal bracelets, brochures, pens, signs, and more.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, participants, and donors, Hope Travels 2024 raised over $45,000 to support our mission.

Every year, we make sure thousands of families across the nation have access to lifesaving medical care and equipment. Fundraisers like Hope Travels and donations throughout the year make our mission possible.

Former Help Hope Live Executive Director Lynne Samson with board member Jim Madden and client Jeff Harris. Lynne has light skin, tortoiseshell glasses, and gray-streaked brown hair as she stretches her arms around Jeff. Jeff has light skin, blue eyes, and a gray and brown beard and he is seated in his black power chair. Jim has light skin, gray hair, blue eyes, and athletic gear. They are outdoors at Hope Travels 2024.

Two participants in Hope Travels 2024 stand outdoors in athletic gear and matching Hope Travels 5K teal t-shirts. The young man has light skin, black shorts, and a black fitted cap. The young woman has brown skin, curly black hair pulled back, and black leggings.

Our 150+ in-person attendees included many members of the Help Hope Live community plus local individuals and families who were new to our medical fundraising mission.

Participants ranged from 5K veterans to first-time runners, local students, legacy Help Hope Live supporters, and parents introducing their kids to community fitness and fun for a cause.

Five current and former Help Hope Live supporters gather in front of the Bryn Mawr Racing Co finish line at Hope Travels 2024. From left to right: Barrett Brooks, who has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee, former Executive Director Lynne Samson, who has light skin with gray hair and glasses, board member Ron Siggs, who has light skin, short white hair, and a Hope Travels teal t-shirt, founding volunteer Chris Kanter, who has light skin and shoulder-length dark hair, and current Executive Director Kelly L Green, who has light skin, dark hair, sunglasses, and a rainbow tutu.

Congratulations to our top two 5K finishers: Jake Lawson and Cecilia Castelli!

Second place Hope Travels 5K 2024 finisher Cecilia Castelli with two Help Hope Live staff members and a male participant at the finish line outdoors. Cecilia has light skin and curly red-brown hair tied back and wears athletic gear. Director of Communications Shannon has light skin, dark hair pulled back, sunglasses, and a teal Hope Travels t-shirt. Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green has light skin, dark hair pulled back, sunglasses, a black Help Hope Live polo shirt, and a rainbow tutu. The male participant has light skin, a gray beard, a ball cap, and athletic gear with a Broad Street Run 2019 shirt. All four wear Hope Travels 5K medals.

We were also grateful for the presence of several local organizations and in-kind sponsors: Amber Specialty Pharmacy, WestSide Wellness, MobilityWorks, YogaSix, Popcorn for the People, and Matia Mobility.

They got the chance to showcase their local impact and their connection to our mission at Hope Travels 2024.

We are so grateful to all the generous sponsors, in-kind sponsors, and partners who supported our event this year—meet them all here.

A close-up photo of a Hope Travels medal from Hope Travels 2024. The medals says Hope Travels 5k, A medical crisis should never become a financial crisis, Help Hope Live and features details in teal, white, yellow, orange, and green.

Our top fundraising team for Hope Travels 2024 holds a deep connection to our mission.

In January 2023, we shared that board member Bruce Ikeda had passed away following a life of immense impact and compassionate community support.

Bruce’s family rallied as Team Big Guy (Bruce’s nickname) to impact our mission with their powerful participation in Hope Travels 2024.

“He epitomized hope: the kind we strive to instill and provide to the families we serve.”

A photo of three women next to the Bryn Mawr Racing Co starting line at Hope Travels 2024. Two of them are significant Help Hope Live supporters: current Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green, who has light skin, dark hair pulled back, sneakers, a black Help Hope Live polo, and a rainbow tutu – and co-founder Pat Kolff, who has light skin, brown sunglasses, sneakers, and white shoulder-length hair. The three women wear Hope Travels 5K medals around their necks.

In addition to team members, board members, volunteers, and client Ambassadors, Help Hope Live co-founder Pat Kolff participated in Hope Travels 2024.

While our mission is national, Help Hope Live was founded right here in 1983 by Pat and her late husband, Dr. Jack Kolff, a Philadelphia heart transplant surgeon.

Three women pose for a photo during the Hope Travels 2024 event wearing athletic gear and their Hope Travels 5K medals around their necks. The first and third women are Help Hope Live legacy supporter Chris Kanter and co-founder Pat Kolff. Chris has light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and a teal Help Hope Live cap. Pat has light skin, shoulder-length white hair, hoop earrings, and brown sunglasses.

It was a full-circle moment seeing Pat and other founding supporters of Help Hope Live come together to celebrate our mission’s evolution.

Current Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green reaches for co-founder Pat Kolff to pull her into a hug outdoors at Hope Travels 2024 with Barrett Brooks visible behind them. Kelly has light skin, dark hair in a ponytail, sunglasses, and a rainbow tutu. Pat has light skin, athletic clothing, and shoulder-length white hair. Barrett has brown skin and navy athletic gear and holds Hope Travels 5K medals to distribute.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green poses with Barrett Brooks. Kelly has light skin, dark hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee and he stands about 2 feet taller than Kelly in a navy blue t-shirt and navy sweatpants. He is pointing to Kelly with his right index finger.

An unforgettable part of Hope Travels was the energy and authenticity that Barrett Brooks brought to our community as our newest Help Hope Live Brand Champion.

In a funny photo, Barret Brooks falls to his hands and knees in relief as he reaches the finish line of the Hope Travels 5K event in 2024. Surrounded by other participants in athletic gear of various ages, Barrett has brown skin and wears a navy t-shirt.

In a funny photo, Barret Brooks is on his knees reaching upward in an expression of relief and endurance as he reaches the finish line of the Hope Travels 5K event in 2024. Surrounded by other participants in athletic gear of various ages who are laughing at his display, Barrett has brown skin and wears a navy t-shirt.

The former Eagle, host of Birds Huddle, and analyst on Eagles Postgame Live is already a beloved member of a community teeming with deep Philly sports pride.

At Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green celebrates with Barrett Brooks. Kelly wears a Hope Travels medal and holds two more in her hand. She has light skin, dark hair, sunglasses, and a rainbow tutu. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee and he stands about 2 feet taller than Kelly.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green looks on as Barrett Brooks speaks with a microphone. Kelly has light skin, dark hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee and he stands about 2 feet taller than Kelly.

Barrett took his community engagement a step further today—literally—as he personally congratulated Hope Travels finishers and handed out medals and high fives.

At the finish line of Hope Travels 2024 outdoors, Barrett Brooks speaks to six young adult runners in athletic gear and sneakers. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee and he wears a Hope Travels medal along with several of the runners.

A runner finishes Hope Travels 5K in 2024 and reaches to give Barrett Brooks a high five. The runner has light skin, a light blue t-shirt, and a blue Nike ball cap. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee. Both are grinning.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green and Barrett Brooks pose with 8-year-old Khuwaylid and his family. Khuwaylid is seated on his new customized teal adaptive bike and has brown skin and a pistachio green sweatsuit. His mother wears a black niqab and has brown skin. The women to her right wears a gray hijab and has brown skin and clear frame glasses. His twin brother has brown skin and a bright blue two-piece jumpsuit. His younger sister wears a black hijab and a bright pink sweatshirt and glasses. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee. Kelly has light skin, brown hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo.

A deeply meaningful moment during our Hope Travels event this year was the opportunity to gift a customized adaptive bike to 8-year-old Khuwaylid Seeney and his family.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green and Barrett Brooks look on as 8-year-old Khuwaylid Seeney sees his customized teal adaptive bike for the first time. Khuwaylid has brown skin and is seated in his black wheelchair with lime green accents. His mother behind him wears a niqab in black with her eyes and hands visible. She has brown skin. Barrett has brown skin and a short black and gray goatee. Kelly has light skin, brown hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo.

Khuwaylid is a local student living with cerebral palsy resulting from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy at birth.

Like so many kids with disabilities, Khuwaylid loves to move, connect, and keep up with his siblings—but maintaining physical mobility can be a challenge.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green speaks into a microphone in front of 8-year-old Khuwaylid Seeney and his mother. Khuwaylid has brown skin and is seated in his black wheelchair with lime green accents. His mother behind him wears a niqab in black with her eyes and hands visible. She has brown skin and is raising her arms in excitement as she addresses Khuwaylid. Kelly has light skin, brown hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo.

Made possible by the Esther & Pedro Rosenblatt Foundation, this adaptive bike giveaway gives Khuwaylid a chance to access the outdoors, childhood joy, and meaningful daily exercise that can enhance his mobility and quality of life over time.

Outdoors at Hope Travels 2024, Help Hope Live Executive Director Kelly L Green grins as Barrett Brooks unveils a teal customized three-wheeled adaptive bike. Kelly has light skin, brown hair past her shoulders, and a black Help Hope Live polo and she holds a microphone in her left hand.

As his mom explained:

“This bike will give him that input to his legs that he absolutely loves while also giving him inclusion to just be a kid and ride his bike with his siblings.”

We were grateful to hear this feedback from Ceciry Rodriguez-Pimentel, the Director of Development & Community Engagement at Khuwaylid’s school:

“We are so happy for Khuwaylid. Thank you for making this incredible opportunity happen for one of our families!”

Help Hope Live board member Brian Messner holds his young son in his right arm outdoors at Hope Travels 2024. Brian has light skin, short gray hair, and a black polo shirt. His son has light skin, short red hair, and bright blue eyes.

We were humbled by the positive feedback we received from our community about Hope Travels 2024. Here’s a small sample.

“What a great day!!”

Help Hope Live board member Michael Criscuolo poses with two teens at the Hope Travels 2024 finish line outdoors. All three sport athletic gear appropriate for summer and Hope Travels medals with their runner numbers on their shirts. Michael has light skin, gray and black hair, and a gray and black goatee.

“So much fun and such a great event! I would love to continue to help in any way I can!”

“Yesterday was a blast—please know how proud we are to be a partner of Help Hope Live.”

Help Hope Live client Ambassador Jeff Harris sports a teal Hope Travels t-shirt and sneakers with a backwards ball cap as he rolls down the street in his black power chair at Hope Travels 2024. He has light skin and a gray and brown beard.

“We had a great time and are already looking forward to the next event with you and your team!”

Dozens of participants congregate in a corporate center parking lot at Hope Travels 2024. They wear athletic gear with some sporting runner numbers on their shirts. Surrounding them is spring greenery with manicured grass and green trees.

Our Executive Director Kelly L Green put the cherry on top with her grateful feedback for our team and community:

“Together, we have made a positive impact on so many lives. I am confident this inaugural event will be remembered as a significant milestone for Help Hope Live.”

A child with brown skin and short dark hair stretches a sneakered foot onto a Help Hope Live branded cornhole set. He is swimming in an oversized teal Hope Travels 5K t-shirt outdoors at the Hope Travels 2024 event.

If you attended Hope Travels 2024 and would like to increase your impact with a donation, you can give online to keep our life-changing mission strong:

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If you’d like to connect with us in-person at an upcoming event, view our calendar:

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Written by Emily Progin