Mia Bezar was, and remains, beloved by everyone lucky enough to meet her. Known for her infectious smile, she lit up every space she was in with her humor, passion, and kindness. She is missed every day by the many, many people who carry on the love she showed in her every action, and we strive to do good in her honor.
One thing Mia was known for was her love of movement and activity. She loved to walk, in the city and on the beach. She would never pass up the opportunity to get moving, no matter how early in the morning. Her love for movement was reflected well in her running career, which spanned running varsity track as a middle schooler at Baldwin, competing in the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships at 12 years old, competing in both track and cross country in high school at Penn Charter, and running innumerable 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, and a full marathon. Just as importantly, she ran all the time, just for fun, radiating positivity in every step she took.
Mia was also known for her desire to help others and effectuate change to make the world a kinder place. A deep believer in equity in all of its forms, she showed compassion and grace towards all people and all of the living and non-living pieces of the earth in her work toward environmental justice. Mia's work for Earth Refuge, in which she describes environmental challenges facing her home of Philadelphia, can be read here.
During her senior year of high school, Mia expressed a desire to work with the organization Back on My Feet, but was unable to do so due to being 17 at the time. Back on My Feet is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that now operates nationally, with the goal of building confidence and strength in individuals experiencing homelessness through running, so as to best equip them to approach the challenges of the transition out of homelessness. Back on My Feet believes in the strength of community and the empowerment that can be found in movement, two things Mia celebrated in her every action. More can be read about their mission and actions here.
Team Mia will be running the Love Run Half Marathon on March 26, 2023, with Mia in the front of our hearts and minds with every step we take. We are raising money in support of Back On My Feet in her name to continue putting out into the world all of the love she felt for all people, and so that they can continue to work to ensure that every one of our neighbors is treated with a sense of dignity and respect, a principle Mia lived by every day.
We are very grateful for any contribution you can make to honor Mia, whom we love and miss beyond words. If you are interested in running the Love Run with us, please select Team Mia when prompted to choose a team when registering.
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