Ellen's Run is held in honor of Ellen Vala Schneider. Ellen was a long time resident of Section V in Chevy Chase and a tireless volunteer in a wide range of community programs and causes. Ellen's Run will benefit two charities in which Ellen was very active: Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, on whose Board of Directors she served, and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Community Scholarship Fund, of which she was Chair.
MHA promotes wellness and supports those with mental illness by sponsoring and implementing advocacy, education, and community service programs. A private, nonprofit agency, MHA has served residents of Montgomery County for 50 years, and currently manages 10 major direct service programs for children, teens, families, senior adults, and individuals with long-term mental illness. Over 1000 volunteers implement programs under the direction of MHA's professional staff.
The B-CC HS Community Scholarship Fund offers "last dollar" scholarships to help bridge the gap between the actual costs of college and other scholarships and loans. Awardees reflect the broad diversity of the B-CC school community as well as a shared determination to overcome obstacles. Every dollar collected by the Fund helps a well-deserving student to meet his or her educational goals.
Ellen's Run supports the Ellen Vala Schneider Fund at the
Community Foundation for Montgomery County, a regional affiliate of
The Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region. This fund
receives the tax-deductible gifts raised by Ellen's Run and makes
grants to the causes that honor Ellen's memory. Tax-deductible
donations may be made to this fund throughout the year.