Mass Media Coverage

Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Marshall News Messenger

Hope Run raises funds to aid orphans

By ROBIN Y. RICHARDSON

Sunday, August 21, 2005

"When I was only three, my mom and dad left me. I guess that they had other dreams, another place to be," are lyrics to "Their Song," a song about orphans written and sung by Sally Allred at Marshall's third annual Hope Run downtown Saturday.

While these orphans' parents may have had some other place to be, there was no other place participants would rather be on a Saturday than walking or running for orphans in fiery temperatures at the fund-raiser.

"(Co-organizer) Sally (Allred) has a big heart for orphans. I came to support her," said Sam Hammontree. He won first place overall in the 5-K run. This was his first year participating.

All proceeds will support immediate needs organizers discover as they visit and aid orphans in Russia, India and Thailand.

Ms. Allred and co-organizer John Lundstedt came up with the idea three years ago to help orphans in Kenya. They decided to expand their efforts to other orphans around the globe through the Hope Run based on the theme James 1:27–""...visit orphans and widows in their affliction."

"It's a great cause. Anytime you can help the unfortunate and benefit yourself makes it worthwhile," Larry Dillon of Longview said while gasping for breath underneath some shade. This is his second year participating. He learned about the event through a flyer in the mail and the Longview Running Club.

"It's a great course. There was good support all the way around and plenty of water and Gatorade on the course," said David Townsend, also a member of Longview's Running Club.

Participants also won prizes and listened to the sounds of Ken Lattimore, a member of the Sons of Pioneers, and John Morris, a musician at Cypress Valley Bible Church.

Lattimore said he tries to learn about and support everything his friends do concerning missions.

"She just doesn't talk about it, she does it," Lattimore said about Ms. Allred.

He and Russ Perry are "big, big" supporters.

Perry, who walked, said it was enjoyable.

"It's not as hard as the run," he teased.

Ms. Allred said the Hope Run is usually scheduled toward the fall of the year, but "I'm ready to leave" to help the orphans she said. She and other organizers plan to start their mission helping orphans in October.

Greg Eubanks, a representative of Buckner Children and Family Services, is awestruck with their efforts. He was on hand Saturday with information about orphans and foster children.

"Anytime somebody leaves their comfort zone to minister to others and say 'I care about you' is a great thing," Eubanks said.

Katie Allred, Sally's mother, said it's been fun watching her daughter grow through her love for orphans and efforts to help them through the fund-raiser.

"We call her Mother Sally like Mother Teresa," her mother said, smiling.

Her mother went along to Kenya one year to teach volleyball and science.

"The teachers are very appreciative," she said. "They get paid $40 bucks a month. There's 30 kids crammed in a class. I read to them. They were thirsty for that."

Ms. Allred said so far they've raised almost twice as much as last year's total of $1,300.

"We like to thank those who participated in anyway," Ms. Allred said.

Donations can be made anytime to Citizens National Bank in Marshall to the Sally Allred-Hope Run Account.

Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Marshall News Messenger