Tradition’s Bobby Williams aims to stomp down homelessness among veterans and lift up local Junior ROTC students.
Williams, an Army veteran, is president of the Military Officers Association of America FL-28, MOAA. He’s also the race director for the association’s second annual TCMOAA & JROTC 5K Run & 2-Mile Walk. The officially-timed run will be at the intersection of Southwest Village Parkway and Southwest Discovery Way in Tradition on Saturday, Feb. 3.
“The proceeds for this run go to a homeless veteran program and the (Junior) ROTC programs,” said Williams.
People will have a chance to support the run before then. There’ll be a raffle and auction fundraiser at Recovery Sports Grill on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Recovery is at 10350 SW Don R. Led Duke Drive, Port St. Lucie.
The military officers’ association recently held its first stand down with help from Sarah’s Kitchen of the Treasure Coast, a faith-based food assistance program in Port St. Lucie. A “stand down” is an event for homeless or at-risk veterans.
In addition to helping connect veterans with various services, the MOAA chapter gave out 140 personal-hygiene packages, 60 blankets, 20 pillows, 10 sleeping bags, along with coats and jackets to help impoverished veterans get ready for colder weather. Sarah’s Kitchen provided 150 meals. Williams said that organizers weren’t picky about whether beneficiaries were veterans or not.
The first 5K helped the MOAA chapter finance the stand down. The run raised about $4,000.
There were nearly 40 sponsors and 135 runners – which included numerous Junior ROTC cadets from St. Lucie and Martin schools seeking to win the Cadet Challenge Cup. MOAA gave each of the participating high-school ROTC programs about $380 each, and put just over $500 into its homelessness-assistance coffers.
Not all the high schools participated. Williams said getting all eight high schools with Junior ROTC programs in St. Lucie and Martin involved this year is a high priority.
“The goal is for each one of those to send five teams each,” he said.
Race teams average four members.
“It’s about 20 cadets from each program,” Williams said.
He hopes Treasure Coast veterans and Port St. Lucie residents turn out big to give the high-schoolers a sense of community and accomplishment. “We have to encourage and inspire our young people to do better,” Williams said. “Even if you can’t run, come out to support the youth.”
Between now and race time Williams is seeking opportunities to speak to groups about the run. MOAA is also seeking sponsors of all sizes and donation levels.
“Race day registration starts at 7 (a.m.),” Williams said. “The race starts at 8:30 (a.m.).”
While the Junior ROTC runners are vying for the Cadet Challenge Cup, others will compete in age categories ranging from 12 and younger to 70 and older.
“There are eight different categories for males and females,” Williams said.
Those who register in advance pay $15 without the T-shirt, and $25 with. Race day registration is $5 additional.
Williams is available at 540-429-2057, or [email protected].
