Nehemiah Schoenecke Memorial 5K Run/Walk

Join us for the 2nd Annual Nehemiah Schoenecke 5K Run/Walk, a special event to honor our 2 year old son Nehemiah who went to Heaven on September 20, 2024.

All proceeds from this year's race will benefit While We're Waiting, an organization that offers free weekend retreats and local grief support groups for parents who have experienced the loss of a child. In October 2025, we launched a local grief support group in the Bloomington-Normal area and have had the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful families with stories similar to our own.

The proceeds from this year's race will fully fund our annual budget for this group (meeting monthly from September to May). These funds will allow us to provide dinner and childcare for the families attending this local group. This is especially important for parents very early in their grief journey who are not yet ready to be apart from their surviving children to attend a support group. 

100% of the remaining proceeds will go to the While We're Waiting organization to help fund free weekend retreats for grieving parents. Last year we were able to write them a check for over $5000! We would love to reach $10,000 this year. We personally attended a WWW weekend retreat in 2025 and experience firsthand just how encouraging and healing these weekends are for parents. 

We are so grateful for your support in honoring Nehemiah and caring for grieving families.

Bryan & Samantha Schoenecke & family 

Event Details

Check-in & Bib Pick-up

• 8:00 - 8:45 AM
• Park Gazebo at Heyworth Splash Pad Park

5K Walk/Run Start

• 9:00 AM
• Cole Street, just south of Splash Pad Park