Thanks to COVID-19 precautions, folks have had to adapt to new ways of living, working and playing together. You used to get together with pals at a patio bar for drinks. Now you Facetime or Zoom. Some North Texas nonprofits have had to change their POA from the traditional gathering of hundreds or thousands to rally awareness and funds. They’ve undertaken virtual events.
For instance? Well, Children’s 2020 annual Red Balloon Run And Ride is a perfect example. In the past it’s been a Fun Run, Walk and Bicycle Rally with hundreds of friends and families participating as a team or as individuals. There were loads of family-oriented games and activities.
But like many outdoor events, Mother Nature didn’t always play nicely. For example, last year it rained.
This year, when COVID-19’s mandate of social distancing caused nonprofits to start canceling or rescheduling their fundraisers, the Children’s team decided to take the big leap into the virtual world.

They decided that, given “the uncertainty of how long our current situation would last, we felt it best to move forward with a Virtual Event now. This way everyone can concentrate on the health and welfare of family and friends.”
The event would still take place on Saturday, April 25, but it would not require participants to gather en masse. Instead the runs, walks and rides will take place whenever and wherever the person or teams want to.
According to Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher, the participation options are walk around your block; go for a run; walk on your treadmill, go on a bike ride and/or just go outside and enjoy the day.
And since this event is virtual, there is no registration fee. However, since the Red Balloon Run and Ride is “a pledge-based fundraising campaign designed for people of all ages for the exclusive purpose of supporting Children’s Health,” donations are important since “it is the only fundraising event that gives 100% of what you raise directly to Children’s Health.”
And there are all types of ways to fundraise including Facebook and other hints provided here:
Each team can designate that its funds will go to those Children’s programs, services, clinics and/or research programs “that inspire them to help kids that are dealing with important medical issues today and in the future.”
Instead of a Red Balloon T-shirt, you should show your participation by wearing a home-printed bib. And why not dress up the occasion with a red balloon floating overhead?
As for your team, it can be a new team, a team from the past or you can join another team. Why not enlist your neighbors for your team and do a total block run-, walk- or bike-around? And take photos to show your team in action by sharing #RedBalloon2020.
* Graphic courtesy of Children's Medical Center Foundation