Lakeside Village merchants to host challenges, proceeds to benefit PediPlace’s child healthcare program
Officials and merchants with The Shops at Lakeside Village are preparing to host the Amazing FundRACEr, the annual fund-raising event for Lewisville-based PediPlace, on Sunday, September 14.
Proceeds from the event, called the Amazing FundRACEr, will benefit the 30-year-old charitable organization that provides quality, family-centered healthcare to North Texas children with limited access to care.
Approximately 40 teams are expected to compete – many in costume – on various physical and mental challenges in and around participating merchants in The Shops at Lakeside.
Lakeside Village’s single-family and multi-family residents are encouraged to form teams and compete.
The race itself will take place between 2 and 4 pm, followed by an awards party and silent auction from 4 to 6 pm. In previous years, the FundRACEr has raised upwards of $100,000 for PediPlace. Organizers hope the move to Lakeside Village will push the proceeds even higher.
How PediPlace helps children, families
Flower Mound resident Seshu Rao began to volunteer at PediPlace after her youngest child left for college in 2015.
Facts on PediPlace
- Offers primary care to families who are uninsured or eligible for CHIP or Medicaid.
- Main office: 502 S. Old Orchard Lane, #126 in Lewisville
- Denton ISD: Fred Moore HS clinic
- Lewisville ISD: Central ES clinic
- 100% of patient families identify PediPlace as their medical home
- 99.7% of patients indicated they were happy with the care provided at each visit
- PediPlace is certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home from the National Center for Quality Assurance (a national leader in healthcare quality)
She appreciated how PediPlace provides a medical home for children throughout North Texas who are uninsured or who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) benefits. And PediPlace is there for them from birth through eighteen years of age.
“PediPlace helps every kid who can’t afford healthcare,” Rao explained. “Services will not be denied if families are unable to pay.”
The PediPlace model utilizes nurse practitioners to provide quality care at lower costs. Majorie Milici, M.D., serves as medical director.
Through coordinated relationships, PediPlace works with public and private agencies, including county health departments, Medical City Healthcare, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, Lewisville Independent School District, Children’s Health Center of Dallas, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, and Denton Independent School District.
“They also present birthday bags for the patients,” added Rao, “and, for the poorest, they give gifts from the kids’ Christmas lists. For those facing hunger, they prepare snack bags, not just for the patient, but for the entire family.
“Hunger is a big problem,” Rao said, “and they are just kids. You can’t punish a kid for being hungry.”
PediPlace added integrated mental health services in 2021, in response to significant increases in mental health risk factors in their patients.
Rao’s role grows
In the beginning, Rao helped by organizing school supplies from her husband’s office. But her involvement quickly grew. In 2023, she agreed to serve as chair of PediPlace’s board of directors for 2023 and 2024.
About the same time, Rao and her husband decided to downsize from their home near Wellington to Lakeside Village (they expect to occupy their Villa by Van Trease in September). On their visits to Lakeside and their favorite Mexican restaurant, Mena’s Tex-Mex Grill & Cantina, the walkability of the community intrigued Rao.
Prior to COVID, PediPlace had staged February gala dinners. But when face-to-face contact became discouraged, PediPlace turned to the scavenger hunt (think TV’s Amazing Race) where carloads of people competed in challenges at various locations around town.
After driving by the 2024 Lakeside 5K benefitting Ally’s Wish, Rao became convinced that Lakeside Village would make the perfect place to host a walking version of the Amazing FundRACEr.
The recommendation was embraced by the PediPlace board as well as Lakeside Village officials.
Merchants eager to participate
On June 2, a group of Lakeside Village merchants listened to a pitch by PediPlace’s top brass. The team included Larry Robins, president and CEO, Shari Markey, chief engagement officer, Mike Schnittker, chair of the Amazing FundRACEr and, of course, Seshu Rao.
Get involved!
- Like fun? Challenges excite you? Sign up to compete!
- Merchants interested in building awareness? Host a challenge!
- Want to help a great charitable organization? Contribute!
- Align your organization with a great cause. Become a sponsor.
All the merchants expressed enthusiasm for the mission and credibility of PediPlace. They also appreciated the awareness generated by the Amazing FundRACEr’s 200+ contestants and supporters. And many were eager to create their own challenges for the FundRACEr.
As of early July, eleven merchants committed to host a challenge. (Those not yet on board remain welcome.)
“The large number of merchants will help spread out the contestants,” said Shari Markey. “They will cut wait times and help things run more smoothly.” Merchants still pondering the possibility of participating should contact Markey by Friday, August 1.
Many participating merchants have already devised their challenges and received advince from the experienced hands at PediPlace. During the event, volunteers will administer the challenges at each of the merchant’s locations.
On Sunday, September 14, the sidewalks of The Shops at Lakeside Village will be full. Contestants, merchants, volunteers, and spectators will be having a great time contributing to a worthy cause.
