Runnin' for Rhett Non-Profit

Rhett passed away in 2004 at the age of 7. He died from complications from cerebral palsy. He was not able to use his arms or his legs. After he died, Rhett's mom used running to get through the grief of losing him. Beth ran in a half marathon on the 1-year anniversary of his death, and when she crossed the finish line she ran up to her family and friends with tears in her eyes and said, “We all have to run, we have to Run for Rhett”. At that moment, Runnin’ for Rhett was born. Since then, thousands of others have donned a similar baby blue shirt and Run for Rhett too. As the organization began raising money, the founding team wasn't sure about where the money should go. They considered the youth that Rhett would have gone to school with. The childhood obesity rate was climbing. They knew that kids were spending too much time behind electronic screens. So they decided to use the money raised start an afterschool youth fitness program, right here in the Sacramento area. The organization now funds Northern California’s largest afterschool youth fitness program. Since launching the youth fitness program in 2010, the organization has funded grants valued at $750,000 to over 650 schools in the Sacramento region. Over 25,000 youth have completed the program. The youth fitness program is FREE to all children and done twice annually, in the spring and fall. The children meet two times per week for 7-weeks. Each child is provided with coaching, curriculum, a baby blue shirt, a Runnin’ for Rhett wristband, entry to a 5K race and when they cross the finish line, volunteers meet the child there with a beautiful medal.