Help us raise money

Family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, teammates, medical providers, acquaintances: Welcome back to another year of three-mile-treks and early morning hangs all for the benefit of heart kids and community.

As many of you know, this is our favorite HEARTest Yard event each year. Maleigh and I have been a part of this Springtime celebration since 2017. Over those eight years, we've seen thousands of genuinely lovely humans gather in the shade of Levine Children’s Hospital to lift up kids as they navigate the most challenging moments of their heart journey, cheer for those that have overcome amazing odds along the way, and honor those gone too early.

From the generosity of people like you The HEARTest Yard has raised millions of dollars during the tenure of this event. Once started with the simple aim to provide in-home nursing care for medically fragile infants with serious congenital heart disease in Charlotte has expanded to a comprehensive (and ever-growing) congenital heart care system for children of all ages across multiple hospital networks. We’ve been so fortunate to watch this foundation grow and can’t wait to see their next steps. 
 
Unfortunately, in 2025 the event falls on a weekend where Maleigh and I will be out of the country (visiting Japan!) with close friends we met in the hospital during Emmett's journey. We weren't sure how to proceed in May - but so many members of the Littleshoe Crew insisted upon attending in honor of Emmett and all her friends. We will have few designed captains this year proudly wearing her insignia across their chests as they run, walk, and meander down the streets of Charlotte (if you don't know them - stop by and say, "Hey." They are cool.)
 
Maleigh and I will continue to honor our $5k for 5k pledge - matching dollar-for-dollar the first ~$5,000 we raise for Emmett's Littleshoe Crew. We even plan to run 5k with you all (albeit 13-hours ahead and 7,000 mile apart in Tokyo with our friends.)

Thanks as always for your consideration. 
 
Best,

John, Maleigh, Emmett, & Watts