My name is Sara

Lackey and I am the

organizer of  this eve-

nt. My family suffered

a very tragic loss when

my cousin, Garrick,

died in a car accident

just a couple days be-

fore Thanksgiving.

Shortly after, I started

thinking of things that

I could do to help me

cope with losing Garrick, while at the same time doing something that would honor Garrick and the amazing things that he was able to do in his short life. I decided to start organizing this 5k and 1mile fun run event because Garrick and I loved running together, and I love that I have so many memories running with Garrick and his girlfriend, Sarah. 

 

All net-proceeds from this event are going to benefit the charity, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Charlotte Mecklenburg. I chose CIS as the beneficiary charity because of Garrick’s strong passion for learning. Garrick was a college Senior, and he loved encouraging others to succeed, whether that was by encouraging friends and family to take a difficult class, or showing them that staying in school was the right thing to do, even if it seemed difficult. The fact that the money raised from this event will help students that have difficult lives stay in school and become successful is amazing. What's even more amazing is that with this event, Garrick will continue to live on even though he is no longer with us. 

 

I would love to see this event be successful, because I know that it would bring me, my family, and Garrick so much happiness to see so many people running for him to benefit CIS and other students within CMS schools.