Running For An Angel:

Chapel Hill, NC – On a brisk March morning a few weeks ago, the Monet Richardson Community Foundation (MRCF) hosted its third annual "Running with the Angels" 5K at East Chapel Hill High School. This event, deeply woven with the memory of Kristian "Krissy" Monet Richardson, united over 90 participants in a race that was about much more than athletic prowess. It was a celebration of a vibrant, young life tragically cut short, evidence of a mother's unwavering love, and a community's commitment to educational equity.

As Mother’s Day approaches, this event stands out not only for its community impact but also as a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience of mothers like Patricia Richardson, who channel their grief into actions that foster hope and change.

Remembering Krissy: A Legacy of Love and Action

Krissy, known for her infectious enthusiasm and profound belief in equity and the power of education, left an indelible mark on her community. Her commitment to helping underprivileged children defined her as a woman of remarkable compassion and drive. Her untimely death at 23 left a void that her mother, Patricia, and a community of volunteers, have filled with a living legacy through the foundation established in her honor.

“Krissy believed in the power of community and education. She was the kind of person who not only dreamed of a better world but took active steps to create it,” Patricia shared with attendees, her voice thick with emotion, resonating with the crowd gathered in remembrance and support.

A Community's Response: Record-Breaking Support

This year's "Running with the Angels" not only honored Krissy’s memory but also marked a significant milestone in community involvement and fundraising. The event drew unprecedented support with over 20 local businesses stepping up as sponsors and the community donating more than 60 silent auction and raffle items. By the day’s conclusion, the event had raised an impressive $18,000.

“These funds will directly support our core programs, including scholarships for promising students and our annual backpack drive, which equips hundreds of children with essential school supplies,” said Patricia, emphasizing the tangible impacts of the community's generosity.

Video Summary of the 5K Event

Patricia: A Pillar of Strength and Vision

Patricia Richardson, a figure of resilience and vision, has become synonymous with both strength and empathy. Her journey is a testament to her strength and enduring spirit. Raised in a large, loving family, she was accustomed to a life filled with support and communal living. However, as an adult, she faced significant adversities that tested her resolve. Her story reveals the depths of her character and the powerful role of motherhood in her life.

In a candid conversation, Patricia reminisced about challenging periods, especially her younger years when she moved to Washington, D.C. with a partner who turned out to be less than ideal. "I was living in not good situations, him not paying bills...and we were getting evicted," Patricia recalled. This tumultuous relationship brought hardship, but it also set the stage for a significant epiphany about her life's direction. "I literally said to God, I said, if you get me out of this situation, I promise I will change all of this," she shared.

Patricia's narrative is not just about survival; it’s about thriving through adversity. Her evolution from those hard times to becoming a beacon of motivation and support for others is inspiring. As a mother, she has imbued her children with the virtues of strength and honesty, shielding them from her hardest times not out of secrecy but to preserve their innocence and joy.

Patricia also extends her nurturing beyond her immediate family, impacting her community by encouraging others, like her friend's daughter and her nephew, both of whom live with developmental disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of community support and advocacy, understanding deeply the needs of families affected by disabilities.

Reflecting on her path and the people she’s influenced, Patricia shared insights from her volunteer work and her later professional roles, including her impactful stint at the ARC of Orange County. This role allowed her to marry her professional skills with her passion for service, further highlighting her commitment to enhancing the lives around her.

A Discovery As A Community Gathers

Actress Regina King once said in an interview following the loss of her son, "Grief is just love that has no place to go."

After Krissy's death, Patricia faced the unimaginable task of moving forward in the absence of her daughter. In the wake of such a loss, Patricia, a single mother who had juggled raising two children, faced a critical juncture.

“Krissy was a giver,” Pat noted as she recounted stories of her daughter creating safe spaces for both friends and strangers told to her by perfect strangers who would later become friends and volunteers. Drawn to be an advocate for the underserved, Krissy would stand up to protect others, leveraging her natural charisma, courage, and strength to broker peace and in some cases, justice. Through these stories from the community that Krissy created begin to pour into her to share their grief and offer support, Patricia became reacquainted with the daughter that she so dearly loved.

Grief Transformed Into Purpose

She turned her profound grief into a dynamic force for good, channeling it into the creation and expansion of MRCF. Drawing from her career in social work and her innate leadership qualities, she founded the MRCF to carry forward Krissy’s vision.

Patricia's approach to leadership mirrors the values she and Krissy shared: transparency, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to uplifting their community. As a mother of a boy and a girl who both successfully graduated from college while pursuing a community-centric career, she understood the power of community, the power of family, and the power of setting and reaching goals.

Her office, lined with pictures of Krissy and thank-you notes from scholarship recipients, serves as a daily reminder of the lives they are touching. Patricia often shares stories of Krissy’s projects, ensuring that her daughter’s spirit remains alive and integral to the foundation’s ethos.

Patricia has continued to hold a full-time job while also running the foundation full-time, which means 100% of the proceeds go directly to the scholarships and programs the foundation supports. She has to keep up with a rigorous schedule of planning major events each spring while maintaining emotional and physical self-care. Krissy’s birthday is February 24th, the 5K is March, Mother’s Day, one of the last days Patricia and Krissy saw each other in May, and the anniversary of her death following after.

“Each picture, each note, they’re reminders of the lives we’re touching, the lives Krissy wanted to change,” she mentions during an interview, pointing to a vibrant photo of Krissy at a community event.

The foundation's mission and the annual race serve as powerful channels for Patricia’s grief. For Patricia, MRCF has become the place where her immense love for Krissy continues to thrive and effect change.

Legacy and Looking Forward

As MRCF looks to the future, Patricia is committed to broadening the foundation's influence, inspired by Krissy’s dream of a world where every child has access to the educational tools they need to thrive. This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the strength and resilience of mothers everywhere, Patricia’s story stands as a beacon of hope and determination.

In her ongoing grief, Patricia channels a deep and abiding love—a love that has indeed found a place to go. It propels her forward, continually driving her to make a difference. If she can achieve so much while bearing such a loss, one can only imagine how deep this love runs and how much further it will carry her and the foundation of their mission.

“It’s never too late to contribute. Our work does not end here. Every contribution helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact,” Patricia noted, encouraging ongoing community support through a QR code linked to the foundation’s donation page.

For those inspired by Patricia’s dedication or interested in supporting the ongoing work of MRCF, visit the foundation’s website or engage with them on social media. Here, you can find updates, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities, ensuring that Krissy’s legacy is not only remembered but also built upon. They are currently still raising money to reach their goal of supplying 300 backpacks filled with new school supplies to underserved children in five counties. You can access their donation page here.

This Mother’s Day, Patricia Richardson stands out as a stellar example of how maternal love can extend beyond one's own children to touch an entire community. Her life reminds us that motherhood is not just about bearing and raising one's own children, but about the strength, guidance, and love one can offer to the world.