Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Forrest Spence 5k

Once again the Forrest Spence 5k was amazing!  The weather was incredible...low 80's with sunshine.  Every year we have been blessed with the most amazing weather.  We couldn't have asked for better.

This year we had 1064 participants sign up.  Are you kidding me...that still blows my mind!!! Over 600 did the 5k and close to 200 kids did the 1 mile fun run and 100 yard dash.  
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My committee once again was the best!  I truly can't say enough about these girls (and 1 guy this year =) who worked so hard to make this the best event in the Midsouth.  They put their heart and soul into this event and I am so blessed by each of them.
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We also had the most amazing volunteers.  It takes over 110 volunteers (plus my committee of 20) to put this event on.  That is a lot of volunteers.  Thankfully I had a wonderful volunteer coordinator who worked her tail off to make sure each spot was filled.  Thank you Kristen. DSC_1340 DSC_1345 DSC_1351 DSC_1362 DSC_1364
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This year we had 6 precious families share their stories and tell how the Forrest Spence Fund helped them in their time of need. Each story was inspiring to hear and allowed us at the Fund (and the participants and Sponsors) to see the difference being made.
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The PlayZone Area was full of kids and tons of fun activities. This is probably my favorite part of the Forrest Spence 5k because I know my sweet Forrest would have been right there in the middle of those kids playing his little heart out.  It really is for the kids!
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The food was delicious and there was tons of it. My food committee girls did an incredible job getting delicious food.
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Every year it takes me a while to take it all in and realize the magnitude of an event like the Forrest Spence 5k. It is like planning a wedding every year but instead of realizing at the end of the wedding it was all for you (and your husband) and how much money you just spent you instead realize it was all for others and instead of spending money, you make money!! We raised $38,500!!! That is a lot of money to help families in need.

I am so proud of this little grassroots 5k that was started by a group of girls who knew nothing about putting on a 5k but we believed in ourselves and knew that we could make it happen.  4 years later, we are one of the biggest 5k's in the Midsouth.  Woo hoo!!!

3 comments:

The Morrisons said...

Oh, Brittany! We are so proud of you. What an amazing day it looked like. Maybe next year, Micah and Owen can come run the fun run. Hope you guys are doing well.

tb29 said...

We missed this event like crazy this year! We just loved being a part of it! Congrats on another successful race!

Blake & Blair said...

We had such a good time last year and hated to miss this year. So proud of you all and all of the good things the Fund does to help others. That's really what it's all about isn't it! (hug)