By Paige Bright
Herald Intern
An early start time, a chill in the air, and fog on the rise were no stop to runners of all kinds to show up for Lake Mary first responders.
Over 800 members of the community registered to participate in the ninth annual Lake Mary Run with a Hero 5K to support first responders and raise money for Healing Hometown Heroes (H3), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping first responders and veterans gain access to mental health resources. Located at Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital, runners were able to talk to first responders from the Lake Mary Police Department, Lake Mary Fire Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Mary EMTs, and Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital employees. Handfuls of off-duty first responders and veterans participated in the 5K as well, celebrating their hard work in keeping the community safe.
“This is the biggest event we host on campus here at Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital. It’s something that our team members look forward to every year, especially because we pick a different charity each year,” Orlando Health’s Danica Kramer said. “It’s a great way to expose our team members and the community to all the great work being done in the area.”
The event began with opening statements from community leaders, such as Lake Mary Mayor David Mealor, Lake Mary Fire Chief Michael McDowell, Lake Mary Police Chief Kevin Pratt II, and members of the H3 nonprofit organization. Each expressed gratitude to the runners for donating and participating in the event and shared personal testimonies of their experiences in law enforcement and as first responders. Runners then began a group stretch before lining up at the blue arches, bodies and minds ready to run.
Runners wore numbered bibs with chips to time their run, the first time the event has been timed. The event also hosted a Kids Fun Run before the official 5K began, another first for the event.
As the event continues to evolve, the mission and purpose remain the same. Shawn Molsberger, president of Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital, highlights what the 5K means not only to him, but to the first responders, veterans, and non-profits it supports.
“I don't want us to ever lose the mission of why we’re doing this,” Shawn said. “The more people who register, the more that we’re able to give back in funding and donations to special causes for the fire department, the police department, and first responders.”
Danica also shares the same perspective as Shawn, sharing what the event means for her personally. “I’m a Seminole County native, so being able to support not only the nonprofits in our community, but the fire department, the police department, and our healthcare heroes, in my hometown, is really awesome and really fulfilling,” Danica said. The team is working out how to get more people to the event, as the increase in runners has almost put them at capacity.
Although runners received their medal for crossing the finish line, the race isn’t complete. Supporting first responders for their round-the-clock work and getting to know them is a goal that Danica urges community members to work towards.
“This event is a great opportunity to get to know your local police officers, your local firefighters, and your local medical personnel,” Danica said. “Our culture is so busy, and there’s always so much to do; it’s important to strive for connection with the community.”
For more information or to donate to H3, visit www.h3adventures.com. To look at past non-profits the 5K has sponsored or for race information, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/FL/LakeMary/RunwithaHero.
