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DELAWARE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION YOUNG LAWYERS’ SECTION
Team 2015 Says
“Show Your Stripes & Run for the House in 2016” By Michael H. Hill, YLS President
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
S
ix years ago the Young Lawyers’ section of the Delaware County Bar Association began a small race attended by a handful of runners that all had one thing in common. The common trait among these runners was not necessarily the urge to post their fastest 5k time, or get a good workout in, although all of those things happen annually at the Run for the House. The common trait was a desire to do more: a desire to help others; a desire to give back. A motto of mine for a long time now has always been that with ability comes responsibility. A responsibility to help when able, a responsibility to give back when you can, a responsibility to teach when called upon. The formation of the YLS annual 5k was exactly that. Members of YLS have the ability, so we also have the responsibility to give back to our community and to be more socially aware. The Ronald McDonald House supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope. The Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia was the first
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of its kind, and now serves as the model for over 350 Houses in 42 countries. In 2015, The Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia served 1,388 unique families for 2,279 total family stays. Although this number is beyond impressive they want to do more. In 2015 the house received 5,965 family requests, however, could not accommodate all of them because of lack of space. Ninety percent of their funding comes from individuals and corporate donors, and the remaining ten percent is provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities. This is where the 5k comes in. Each year since its formation, YLS has donated one hundred percent of the proceeds from the runs to the Adopt-A- Room program at the Ronald McDonald house on Chestnut Street. To date, the 5-year total exceeds $26,000. Last year alone, the YLS raised over $6,000, which is not bad for a handful of runners. The Adopt-A-Room partnership program allows individuals, companies, or organizations to be the room sponsor of one