Jan 26, 2024 By Karen Mansfield 5 min read

Megan Joyce plays to the sixth green at Duck Hollow Golf Club in Friday’s opening round of the C. Harper Fayette County Open.

Seven races in seven days, 71 miles, and a mission accomplished.

Diana Irey Vaughan, former Washington County commissioner and soon-to-be president and CEO of the City Mission, completed the 2024 Disney Coast-to-Coast Challenge earlier this month, in a fundraising effort for the mission’s Hope for Homeless Women capital campaign to build a 50-bed women’s shelter.

“I feel great. It was a taxing experience, but it was a fun experience as well,” said Irey Vaughan.

The race – the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge in Orlando’s Disney World (a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon) and the 22.4-mile Dumbo Challenge in Anaheim’s Disneyland (a 5K, 10K and half marathon) – is the sixth running event Irey Vaughan has participated in to support the Mission, and over the years she has raised $138,000.

Proceeds from her most recent run will go toward construction of the $6.4 million shelter for homeless women. The mission’s goal is to expand services to include the growing population of homeless women in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“I have run all my Disney races to benefit Washington City Mission, and it keeps me motivated during the races knowing how blessed I am in my life and how many opportunities I’ve been given to fulfill God’s purpose in my life, and I want to see others have the same opportunity to do that,” said Irey Vaughan.

Dr. Sally Mounts, City Mission Chief Development Officer, marveled at Irey Vaughan’s fundraising efforts.

“Diana is indefatigable. This woman is tireless,” Mounts said. “When I’m here at the mission, I don’t even like walking from building to building when it starts to rain, but when she starts running in rain and realizes she has 26 more miles to go, she does it. She is really, really passionate about the homeless and has been such a supporter of ours for such a long time.”

Over the course of the four-day Dopey Challenge in Orlando, severe weather – including heavy rain, lightning, and high winds – hampered runners and led to the shortening of the half marathon course. But Irey Vaughan and her daughter, Victoria Hassett, who trained and ran with her, ran the entire half marathon course anyway.

The marathon, too, was marred by heavy rain.

“During the full marathon, the water was coming down so heavy, we were running through water up to our ankles. We were never dry or warm during the marathon,” Irey Vaughan said.

Irey Vaughn said she met many runners competing in the races to raise money for charities, and she was inspired by their stories and the causes they were supporting.

“The race takes a lot out of you, but it’s a very, very rewarding experience and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to challenge themselves and at the same time find a way to help others,” she said.

Starting on March 1, Irey Vaughan will assume her new role for City Mission, and Dean Gartland, City Mission’s current president/CEO, will transition into a role as president emeritus, where he will continue to raise funds for the new homeless women’s shelter, which is expected to break ground in mid-May.

But Irey Vaughan, who has worked with City Mission throughout her years as a commissioner and has long supported the nonprofit and its mission, is working with Gartland on a smooth transition.

“I’m already working to get up to speed on the operations of the mission. I’m meeting with members of the community and donors who are excited about the mission, and I want to make sure I’m going in ready to hit the ground running,” said Irey Vaughan.

The City Mission provides food, shelter, and medical services for those in need.

She said there is a “tremendous need” to expand services and provide shelter for homeless women.

In 2018, City Mission opened the Women With Children Shelter, a 12-suite residence where families can shelter and remain together.

Gartland said the Mission has raised $4.7 million toward the cost of the women’s shelter.

The Mission receives as many as 10 calls a day from agencies who want to place homeless women at its shelter and from homeless women seeking help, but the Mission is always filled to capacity.

“It’s heartbreaking for us every time we have to tell somebody sorry, there’s no room for you at this time, and they go on a waiting list. The need for services for them is definitely pressing on us. Diana has always been concerned about the homeless women in our community,” said Gartland, adding, “She has a deep concern and a commitment to them, and we are truly appreciative of the money she has raised.”

The homeless women’s shelter is the culmination of the Mission’s master plan developed in 2012 to vastly expand services to the homeless, which has included construction of the Crabtree Kovacicek Veterans Shelter, the women with children’s shelter, and other renovations and projects.

“Washington City Mission has to turn away women from the shelter almost every day,” said Irey Vaughan. “I’m excited that the board has decided to make (the women’s homeless shelter) a priority.”

“Washington City Mission has to turn away women from the shelter almost every day,” said Irey Vaughan. “I’m excited that the board has decided to make (the women’s homeless shelter) a priority.”

Note: Anyone interested in learning more about the homeless women’s shelter can call the Mission at 724-222-8530 or visit the website at www.citymission.org.