ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q2-2024

FBINAA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION THE HEART AND HELPING HANDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

I t’s hard to believe that what began as a simple and fun idea over five years ago has morphed into an incredibly successful fundraising event, where law enforcement friends and family participate in the Virtual Yellow Brick Road. The concept began with a high-energy and enthusiastic high school student who wanted to create a fundraiser to support law enforcement families in their time of need. This student, Haley McGookin, is in the law enforcement family and was aware of the FBI National Academy’s Yellow Brick Road course in Quantico, Va. FBI National Academy graduates fondly recall their experi ence on the Yellow Brick Road. The final test of the fitness chal lenge, the Yellow Brick Road, is a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines. Along the way, participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more. Students who complete this difficult test receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement. FBINAA Charitable Foundation Celebrates Its 5th Annual Virtual Yellow Brick Road

The course became known as the Yellow Brick Road years ago, after the Marines placed yellow bricks at various locations to show runners the way through the wooded trail. The overall fitness challenge began at the NA in 1981 and has evolved over the years; the FBI started awarding yellow bricks in 1988. Two former staff members at the FBINAA National Office, Suzy Kelly and Susan Naragon, played a huge role in reincar nating this fun-filled, virtual run five years ago with proceeds benefiting the Charitable Foundation. The following year, work ing alongside foundation board members Kelli Bailiff and Mitch Mueller, the Yellow Brick Road, affectionately known as YBR to those who have gone through the academy or participated, has turned out to be a very successful fundraiser. Today, law enforcement friends and families, along with key business partners, have raised more than $100,000 benefit ing FBINAA active members and their families during their time of need. A huge thank you to 5.11 Tactical, Bansbach Easylift, and Panasonic for supporting this event and continuing their dedication to our law enforcement families. Join us for this fun event and help those law enforcement colleagues in need. Visit www.fbinaafoundation.org and get your 2024 Foundation Supporter packet!

22 FBINAA.ORG | Q2 2024