Farragut veterans host Fun Run
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Members of the USA Patriots Softball team will be playing local First Responders May 7 at Smokies Stadium. - Photo submitted
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Farragut veterans Jesse Hawe, right, and Nathan Smith are working together on the May 1 Fun Run starting in Founder’s Park at Campbell Station to help disabled veterans and children. - Photo submitted
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Farragut military veterans Jesse Hawe and Nathan Smith are hosting a Fun Run to benefit both veterans and children living with physical disabilities.
The long-time friends and fellow runners — who have coordinated a number of runs in the past — are offering the first of its kind Farragut Fun Run Sunday, May 1, in Farragut’s Founders Park at Campbell Station.
Proceeds will go to the USA Patriots, a non-profit organization that supports the USA Patriots Softball team — comprised of war-wounded athletes — and their mission to help both veterans and children participate in adaptive sports.
“Adults and children are welcome to participate,” Hawe said of the Fun Run. “We prefer if they can for people to register. We really want to encourage veterans to come and take part, as much as they are able.”
For those who can’t register in advance, registration will also take place starting at noon.
The 5K option has a $25 entry fee and kicks off at 1 p.m.; the 3K is $15 per entrant and begins at 1:10 p.m.; then the 1K is $10 and begins at 1:15 p.m.
Hawe said a big part of the mission of USA Patriots is to work with veterans and get them involved physically, whether they are able to walk or run.
“It helps to break isolation,” Hawe said.
Hawe and fellow U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Matt Gordon, hosted a similar event in January called “Remember the 22,” in honor of the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. In February, they coordinated the Cupid Run, which also helped promote suicide prevention awareness.
“There are veterans all over Knoxville, and we want to raise awareness as much as we can, wherever we can,” Hawe said. “We have been wanting to bring something to Farragut for some time.
“We believe the more people who can become involved, the more people who will be passionate about helping. There are a number of great causes like the USA Patriots. That group is working to be positive and pro-active with veterans and children and is something we can definitely get behind.
“We need more of that in our community.”
The run also is a kick-off of sorts to promote the following weekend’s activities at Smokies Stadium in Kodak Saturday, May 7, which starts with a non-profit expo geared toward veterans and first responders, then lunch followed by a softball double header between “America’s Amputee Softball Team” and area first responders. Matt Gordon, who works with USA Patriots, is in charge of the free Veteran Charity Softball event May 7.
For more information, visit the Farragut Fun Run page on Facebook or e-mail Hawe at Jessehawe@icloud.com.
