Hearts for Hope 5K Run/Walk continues to make a difference in the community

For many families across the world this weekend was Super Bowl weekend, but in Carlsbad, the weekend of Feb. 1 was marked by the Hearts for Hope 5K Run/Walk. The fifth annual run/walk was put on by the Mitchell Thorp Foundation in order to raise a goal of $150,000 for sponsored families.

The Mitchell Thorp Foundation is a nonprofit organization started by Brad and Beth Thorp after the loss of their son Mitchell to an undiagnosed illness in 2008. Mitchell underwent a five year battle and his family suffered with him as they searched unsuccessfully for a cure. In an effort to ease the pain of other families with children suffering from life threatening illnesses, diseases and disorders, the Mitchell Thorp foundation offers emotional support as well as financial aid and other resources.

“I’m a neighbor so I knew Mitchell from the get-go. I witnessed him battle this terrible disease and go undiagnosed,” Bobbie Ankenbrandt said. “Your heart goes out to them for all those years of suffering but when you look at the way the Lord’s put this all together, it makes a remarkable difference in so many people’s lives.”

Among other events that the foundation puts on throughout the year, the Hearts for Hope Run/Walk exists in line with the foundations message. Runners and walkers received sponsorship to raise money for families supported by the foundation.

Before the Walk, Carlsbad High School’s varsity and JV cheer teams put on performances. Last year, the cheer teams walked to support fellow cheerleader Rebecca Edgin who was supported by the Mitchell Thorp Foundation but unfortunately lost her battle with Leukemia last year. This year the girls cheered and walked in honor of Rebecca and to support the other families sponsored by the foundation. The Walk started by participants following Beth Thorp around edge of one of the baseball fields in Poinsettia Park, in honor of her son Mitchell, who was a gifted and passionate baseball player.

“I’m walking and helping out. I decided to do this because I thought it was for a great cause. It helps kids with life threatening diseases and it’s just a great thing to be a part of. This is my first year here, but I love helping out and seeing the community come together. It’s so inspiring,” junior advisory board member Lexi Mertz said.

Mertz is a part of the junior advisory board which consists of 22 junior high and high school students in the community who operate on their own to put on fundraisers that support the families sponsored by the organization. Besides the junior advisory board, many members of the community came out to support the Foundation its cause.

“We loved Mitchell and we love the family and we thank them for all their generosity and want to help them keep doing what they’re doing,” Ankenbrandt said.

The event also featured a kids fun run, vendors, a DJ, a Zumba class, a raffle and a live jump by a skydiver holding a 150,000 square foot American flag which landed on one of the baseball diamonds in Poinsettia Park. The skydiver also delivered $2,000 worth of checks to help Danielle Bissonette in her effort to raise $2,000 for her birthday for the foundation. Danielle received an award for her efforts but she was just one of many community members who either walked, ran or volunteered at the event.

“I want to help families that have kids who who are in need and hurting. I’m helping out this year and I’ve done it twice before,” volunteer Michelle Muilenburg said.

In addition to community members, several dignitaries spoke at the opening ceremony. Councilman Keith Blackburn donated one month of his councilman’s salary to the foundation, Mayor Matt Hall declared February 1st as Hearts for Hope Day in Carlsbad and Channel 6 weather reporter Brooke Landau shared her testimony of overcoming chronic illness.

“I am awe inspired to see that this is what such good hearted and well intended people, like Brad and Beth, can create out of such loss and pain,” Landau said. “I can understand and my heart goes out to the families who have a family member who just can’t get the treatment and care and even understanding that they deserve. I have so much hope for what this [foundation] can do.”

As it is every year, the walk was a great success. It met it’s $150,00 goal making a five year total of over $500,000 to help local families dealing with diseases, disorders and illnesses.

“We’re excited about the foundation as it has grown over the past five years. We have helped over 40 families. The need is great; every month we continue to get applications,” Brad Thorp said during the opening ceremony.

Although the walk is annual, the Mitchell Thorp Foundation puts on other events throughout the year and is continually raising funds to meet the need of families. You can support the foundation by learning more, signing up to volunteer or by making a donation at www.mitchellthorp.org.

“It’s the support and hope that they’ve provided and also the finances which have made such a difference,” Ankenbrandt said. “It’s a way to give these kids balance and just make them have as normal a life as they can and to give the parents the support they need. It’s wonderful what they’ve done.”