Firefly 5K Lights Up Again

Firefly 5K Lights Up Again
JeanEllen Hiter Melton, National Chair, Junior Membership

The Firefly 5K is back! While preparing for the first Virtual Continental Congress in 2020, the Junior Membership Committee introduced the Firefly 5K - a healthy, fun and engaging way for Daughters and friends across the globe to support the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund. The success of first Firefly 5K quickly prompted plans for a second annual event, and registration is open now!

As of this writing, more than 800 Daughters, spouses, friends, family, neighbors and our amazing glowworms (our kids) have registered to light up the roadways and spread SUNSHINE! The Firefly 5K is easy. You can walk, run, swim, paddle, bike, skip or whatever form of exercise you prefer. You can register online here. While registration closes April 15, you may complete your 5K whenever and however you like; there is no deadline to complete your Firefly 5K. All participants will receive a beautiful medal redesigned for the 2021 event.

Participating in the Firefly 5K is an excellent opportunity to challenge your friends, chapter, or others in your state to light up with the Juniors! In 2020, all the Executive Officers and Vice Presidents General joined in! Has your State Regent registered? Challenge your Chapter Officers! States will be recognized for the highest number of registrations by total number and by percentage of membership. Last year, Texas and New Hampshire shone brightest. Who will it be in 2021?

How does one complete the Firefly 5K? Any way you like. In 2020, participants ran and walked, peddled and paddled. Some counted trips to their mailbox, while others hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail.  If it is still cool where you live or you are already missing the walk from the hotel to the Hall, participate from the comfort of your living room in this walking tour recorded by DC Juniors!

Prefer not to participate at all, but still want to support the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund? Click the donate button at the same link! Donors will be recognized at two levels this year:

$250+ “Sea to Shining Sea Level”

  • May be contributed as one adult registration of $35 and a donation of $215. Registrant receives race medal, donor name to be listed on the Junior Membership webpage of the Members website after the close of race registration and acknowledgement of donation during Junior events held during Continental Congress.

$130 “Spreading Sunshine Level” In Honor of the 130th Continental Congress

  • May be contributed as one adult registration of $35 and a donation of $95. Registrant receives race medal, donor name listed on the Junior Membership Facebook page, and acknowledgment of donation during Junior events held during Continental Congress.

After you’ve registered or donated, click over to our CustomInk website to purchase your 2021 Firefly 5K shirts! This year’s shirts include long sleeved and short sleeved options in adult and youth sizes, as well as a wicking tee and tank. Choose your favorites here.

The Juniors have set a very bright goal to raise $100,000 this year. Can we do it? YES, WE CAN!

Helen Pouch Memorial Fund

For those not familiar, the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund (HPMF) was authorized in 1938, and finances projects chosen by the Junior Membership Committee with approval of the NSDAR Executive Committee. Projects include annual contributions to the DAR Schools, the National Junior Committee Project, and the Junior Membership Classroom Grants Program. The annual Junior Membership Committee funding commitment through HPMF is more than $120,000, and at the 2020 Continental Congress, the Junior Membership Committee announced gifts totaling more than $240,000. We meet this commitment through contributions to the Fund from the sale of NSDAR-approved Junior Sales products, general donations to the fund and other fundraisers like the Firefly 5K. 

If you have any questions please email Liz Fritsch Ciarrocchi, National Vice Chair Junior Events at [email protected]. THANK YOU for your support of Junior membership!

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