Maria Parham Franklin, alongside premier sponsor Vaya Health, proudly presented a $5,000 donation on July 28 to First in Families of North Carolina (FIFNC), following the success of the hospital’s inaugural Stomp the Stigma 5K held this past May.

The funds will go directly toward supporting Franklin County residents in need of mental and behavioral health assistance through FIFNC’s extensive network of community-focused services.

“Connecting with organizations like First in Families of North Carolina allows us to expand our impact beyond hospital walls,” said Emilee Johnson, Vice President of Operations at Maria Parham Health. “We are deeply grateful to our community, partners, and participants for helping make this donation possible through our Stomp the Stigma 5K.”

First in Families of North Carolina is a statewide support initiative that helps people with disabilities and their families believe in their dreams, achieve their goals, and give back to others. Founded by families seeking innovative ways to provide and receive support, FIFNC uses community resources and connections to help individuals meet their self-defined wellness goals.

Maria Parham Franklin extended a special thanks to Elliot Clark, Regional Director of Community Relations at Vaya Health; Dennis Morgan, Regional Quality Manager at First in Families; and Debby Wells, Deputy Director at First in Families, for their leadership and partnership.

The hospital also acknowledged the outpouring of community participation in this year’s race and looks forward to welcoming even more attendees at next year’s event, scheduled for May 30, 2026.