Shields of Hope to host third annual Shauna Smith Heroes 5K

HOLLAND — Shields of Hope is preparing for its third annual Shauna Smith Heroes 5K and 2K walk/run fundraising event.

The fundraiser takes place 9-11 a.m. Oct. 10 and focuses on honoring first responders, cancer warriors, and heroes throughout the West Michigan community.

Shields of Hope, a West Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 2013, dedicates itself to spreading hope, love, and community support to families battling cancer. Rather than funding cancer research, the organization focuses directly on assisting the families themselves through their struggles.

The organization provides resources and funding through its various "Heroes" programs. That includes "Heroes Visits," which began in 2014 as a way to rally community support around individuals battling cancer. Shields of Hope also treats families to all-inclusive trips to Great Wolf Lodge.

"My husband and four other firefighters decided that we were going to show up and love on people," said Phyllis Potter, a volunteer whose husband co-founded the organization. "When you are going through cancer and you’re in treatment, finances are the first things that take a hit. Time away as a family is also one of the first things, so that's when we decided we would take 30 families to Great Wolf Lodge to allow that time for families to have that time alone and reconnect."

While the 5K fundraiser has been held for nearly as long as Shields of Hope has operated, the event was recently renamed to honor Shauna Smith, a past recipient of the organization's programs who lost her life to cancer in 2021. Since 2023, Smith's family has donated money in her memory to another family battling cancer, presenting the award during the 5K.

Proceeds from the 5K help replenish critical emergency funds. High community demand has left many families struggling to afford basic necessities like food, housing, and gas alongside mounting medical bills.

"We know how expensive insurance is. We know how expensive medical bills are," Potter said. "People cannot afford treatment and food, and people choose food and housing over their treatment. So the big push is that we need to raise as much as possible so that we can keep people’s utilities on."

So far, the organization has raised $19,000, primarily through corporate donations, with about $4,000 coming from race registration fees.

Potter noted that while monetary contributions are always welcome, hands-on community involvement remains the heart of the organization's mission.

"Come with us to our visits, donate to Christmas, come with us to deliver Christmas presents," Potter said. "See the impact that you're having on families. The whole idea is that we love, hope, and encourage people, so just stop by, say hi, and support these families."

For more information on Shields of Hope events or to donate, visit the organization's website.

— Mallory Burt is a reporter for Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.