By Alec Keyzer-Andre
Hottytoddy Intern
agkeyzer@go.olemiss.edu
LOU community members can join forces with Oxford High School’s Marine Corps JROTC program for a 5k walk/run through the University of Mississippi’s Campus Saturday, April 20.
The goal of the race is to raise money and support for the school’s program along with Volunteers for Veterans, an organization that cares for local veterans.
The 5K Run for Veterans race coincides with the high school program’s annual fundraiser—Rally for Veterans—at noon that day on the Square. Veterans who run will receive special recognition.
Major Brent Hampton of OHS MCJROTC said the event is a great cause because it directly impacts the local Oxford and Lafayette community.
“We want to raise funds for Volunteers for Veterans organizations,” Hampton said. “These funds will go directly to the local Oxford-Lafayette folks specifically those in veteran homes.”
Lea Fyfe, secretary to the OHS MCJROTC booster club, said this race is a good opportunity to give back to the community’s own hometown veterans.
“We need to support our local veterans and also bring awareness that we have veterans in our community that are in need,” Fyfe said.
The MCJROTC wants to try to introduce people of the LOU community to the Volunteers for Veterans, which provides those needs for the veterans at the VA and also those living in our community independently, Fyfe said.
She said the message of the race is to show support for the community’s veterans.
“The message of this race is to bring awareness and show support for our veterans who have done so much for us,” Fyfe said.
The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Those wishing to participate in the 5k walk/run can register for $25 on racesonline.com.