In August 2013, Diane and Chris Lehoe of Conestoga created Friends of Angels, a nonprofit organization that seeks to support families that have experienced the loss of a young child. The cause is near to the couple's hearts; they established Friends of Angels a little over a month after their daughter, Kathryn, would have celebrated her second birthday. After more than a decade later, Diane and Chris have grown Friends of Angels into a beacon of hope and camaraderie for grieving parents across Lancaster County.

"Honestly, it has surprised me. Ten years ago, we never imagined how much we would be able to give back," Diane said. "It doesn't take the pain and grief away, but knowing my daughter, even though she's not here, has made such a huge impact on so many people - it comforts your heart."

Friends of Angels' first fundraiser was a 5K race in Strasburg to benefit the Sweet Pea Project, an organization with a similar mission to support parents who have lost an infant. Diane already had experience organizing 5K races with a group of friends, and the Sweet Pea Project was the first organization to reach out to the Lehoe Family after Kathryn's death. "(The Sweet Pea Project) made us feel like we weren't alone in the community of parental loss," Diane said.

Expecting to have 50 people at most attend the first fundraiser, Diane and Chris said they were shocked when 200 people showed up. The annual event has continued to grow over the years, and it is attended by many members of the community who have not experienced the loss of a child personally, but who wish to show their support for grieving parents. "It has brought great comfort to my husband and I knowing that this has brought people comfort. We're trying to raise more awareness; child loss usually isn't something people want to talk about or hear about," Diane added.

Friends of Angels will host the 10th annual Kat's 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, May 11, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 40 W. Main St., Strasburg. The rain-or-shine event will begin at 8:30 a.m., and it is open to both competitive runners and walkers of all ages. In addition to supporting the Sweet Pea Project, the proceeds from the 5K will benefit the Garden of Hope and the Kathryn Frances Lehoe Burial Fund. The Garden of Hope maintains a memorial garden for families that have experienced miscarriages, and the Friends of Angels uses the burial fund to help families cover various funeral expenses. When signing up for the event, registrants may choose to have the name of a child who has passed away included in an arrangement of signs along the race course.

Awards will be given to the top runners in various categories, as well as the largest team of participants. Patrons who sign up before Wednesday, April 24, will receive a discounted registration fee and a T-shirt. In-person registration will be available on the day of the race from 7 to 8 a.m., and online registration is available until Wednesday, May 8, at midnight. A mail-in form is also available on Friends of Angels' website. "Even if you don't want to run or walk, come out and know that you're not alone," Diane said. "It's a hard journey to walk, and no one should have to walk alone."

For more information and to view registration options, visit https://friendsofangelspa.org/registration.