Running or walking a virtual race allows you to pick your path and get your miles in on your own time! Virtual races can be done around the neighborhood, a local course of your choosing or even on the treadmill! The only rule is that the race must be completed in a single run (or stroll) just like a real race.

Follow CDC social distancing guidelines. Do not run in groups; only run with those you have been social distancing with.
Please do not run our traditional Squantum route. It is unsafe at this time to overcrowd a particular neighborhood.

2020 registration is now closed.
Information on Stop the Stigma 5K 2021 registration will be released soon.

After you run, log into LetsDoThis (instructions will be emailed to you) and record your finish time and post a photo. We don’t care if it took you 30 minutes or 3 hours – we support your finish in any manner. It’s the process that counts! All registered participants who submit a finish time will receive a finisher’s medal.

Please also share a photo or story at LetsDoThis, or by emailing us  – it will encourage others and help spread our message of eliminating mental health stigmas even further.

We have photo contests (with prizes!) in store for:
“Best canine running partner”
“Craziest running socks”
“Most scenic route”
“Best example of COVID-19 precautions”
“Best throw-back Stop the Stigma 5K t-shirt”
“Most creative costume”
and more! You’ll be able to upload a photo when you submit your time or you can email them to us at pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.

Details will be emailed to you about t-shirt and medal pickup. For those that live more than 40 miles from Quincy, MA, your shirts will be mailed.

Our virtual Stop the Stigma 5K raises crucial funds to support Interfaith Social Services’ New Directions Counseling Center. New Directions serves anyone seeking counseling, but we pride ourselves on being a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured members of our community. New Directions makes mental health care accessible to everyone by offering a sliding scale payment system.

The stresses of the coronavirus outbreak have brought even more people to our Counseling Center. We need your help more than ever to make sure all members of the community can get the help they need and seek out treatment without feeling shamed. Your registration fee alone provides one counseling session for a neighbor suffering with a mental illness.

The goal of the Stop the Stigma 5K is to raise funds for Interfaith Social Services’ New Directions Counseling Center. We need YOUR help to continue to provide mental health care to everyone. Your registration fee has already provided one counseling session for a neighbor suffering with a mental illness. If you want to help provide more counseling sessions, here are ways you can do peer-to-peer fundraising to help us reach our goal.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 fundraisers!

• Facebook Fundraisers – Set up a fundraiser for Interfaith Social Services on Facebook and ask your Facebook friends to support your virtual 5K. Interfaith receives 100% of all funds donated through Facebook’s platform.
  Use this link to set up your fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/fund/interfaithsocialservices/
• Give Lively – This company builds fundraising tech for nonprofits and gives it away for free. Set up a Stop the Stigma 5K fundraiser here and share across multiple platforms including email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/interfaith-social-services-inc/stop-the-stigma-virtual-5k/fundraisers/new
• Pledge Sheet – Download and print a paper pledge sheet and collect cash and checks.
  Get your pledge sheet here: https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/sts5K-pledge-sheet-2020-virtual.pdf
• Invite others to run/walk – The more people that run, the more money we can raise! Invite your friends and family from across the country (or world!) to participate with you. Mental health care knows no boundaries.
  Have your friends sign up to run through our LetsDoThis platform – https://bit.ly/ISSvirtual5K. Registration includes a race T-shirt, a participation medal for those that submit completion times and the knowledge that you’re helping others get the mental health counseling they need.
• •  

Some sample language to use on your fundraiser:
“I am running the Stop the Stigma Virtual 5K on Memorial Day weekend in support of Interfaith Social Services. Their New Directions Counseling Center is a safety net for those in need of mental health care. We run or walk to erase stigmas surrounding mental illness and addiction and to support our family, friends and neighbors affected by these issues.”

Not able to walk or run a 5K that weekend? There are other ways to support us. Consider a donation or sponsoring the event.

Send an email to our race director, Paula Daniels.