The Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation (VBMF) was founded in 2020 and became a 501c3 NPO in 2022. Our flagship fundraising event, The Red Shoe Lunch began in 2010 and raises money to support the American Heart Association and other causes that fight heart disease and brings awareness to heart health.

The foundation is a memorial tribute to Veronica Blount, a young mother who died at the age of 46 from heart disease. Veronica lived in Baltimore City, Maryland in a community plagued by diseases that kill African Americans at rates higher than any other race (heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure and sarcoidosis to name a few).

Over the past 13+ years we have secured a family of donors and supporters. We established our non-profit so we can see firsthand how our efforts will impact our communities. Some of our communities house some of the poorest residents in the country. Many of these people do not have access to appropriate healthcare, nor do they have the tools and information needed to screen and take preventative measures.

Many underserved communities have a generational disparity with having access to healthy meals, fresh produce, quality air and routine physician visits. In addition, these are the same communities with high rates of alcoholism and drug addiction. Many people in these communities don't recognize the signs of failing health and don't seek the help they need early enough to prevent major medical complications.

Veronica, like her mother and her grandmother died very young. Veronica's oldest daughter now runs this organization in an effort to help those who may not be able to help themselves.

One of our first major initiatives outside of the Red Shoe Lunch will be to equip every house in the United States with a blood pressure monitor; a low-cost machine that could save someone's life.

17th Annual Red Shoe Lunch

One afternoon. One mission. One step closer to healthier hearts.