Annual 5K Race Helps Adoption Process, Provides Charity In Action

RIDGELAND "FAITH IN ACTION"

(Sponsored by Colonial Heights Baptist Church)

Julie James and Julie Welch are very excited--and they have good reason to be.

The two congregants of Colonial Heights Baptist Church are the guiding forces behind the upcoming "Hearts Of Compassion 5K and One-Mile Fun Run" which starts and ends on the church campus at 444 Northpark Drive on November 11 beginning at 8 a.m. Picket pick-up for the race will take place the Friday before the race from 3-7 p.m. and participants can still pre-register the day of the event beginning at 7 a.m.

Just another 5K race, right? Wrong.

And that's why the ladies are excited.

"'Hearts Of Compassion' is a Colonial Heights ministry," says Ms. James, "and our two main objectives are to raise funds for families considering adoption and to raise awareness of what is a very real crisis of orphans, not only in our state, but also for out-of-state couples that we sometimes are able to help. We offer no interest loans and matching grants to assist families as part of this ministry." she notes.

Is the need really that great and a real "crisis"? Unfortunately, yes, answers Ms. Welch.

"A typical adoption costs anywhere between 25 to 50,000 dollars and most families cannot handle that financial burden even though they want a child," she says. "So to help, we began the race six years ago and have actually placed 62 children into forever homes or they're getting ready to enter into one. We are very blessed to have that extraordinary number," Ms. Welch says.

"We get to know these families intimately because the adoption process can often be a very long one," Ms. Welch adds. "Sometimes it can even take two to three years; however, we are with them and help every step of the way inasmuch as we able to do so."

The profits from the race itself goes into Colonial Heights' general fund, the ladies explain, "but we provide the grants from that fund and families can recruit teams for the race and gain extra matching funds from then." Ms. James says. "This year we're looking at eight families to use the upcoming race as a fundraising tool--they've already received the matching grants from us but then they go out and recruit friends and other family members to participate and raise additional monies for their adoption."

At the conclusion of the race, past families who have been helped by the event will speak to the crowd about their experience which provides a very special and touching moment, the ladies say, and a fitting conclusion to a wonderful cause.

"Just to see the children there with their new families makes for a very powerful visual," Ms. Welch says.

Ms. Welch has three adopted children herself and Ms. James has four of her own. "It's a calling for both of us," Ms. James says, "and I prayed about it and over it and that's really how the race started. There are so many pieces to the puzzle--and, for us, it became a passion and, as I mentioned, a real calling. We wanted to create something that would lessen the burden of matching families with children in need."

The ladies are trying to bring in at least 500 runners to the race this year.

"Donations are also accepted for people who, while not able to participate, wish to help," Ms. Welch mentions.

Again, starting and ending in the Colonial Heights parking lot, the race course winds around the immediate area, making a loop and passing by Northpark Mall.

"We may be biased but we think it's a terrific run," both ladies laugh.

"This race is NOT just for Colonial Heights members," Ms. James makes clear. "It is not just a four-walls ministry. In fact, this year--for the first time--there is not a single Colonial Heights member who will be assisted by the event. That's not who we are here--it's all about the Body of Christ and fits in with our 'I Belong' message which we're currently engaged in and promoting.

Every child deserves a good home," continues Ms. James. "This particular ministry fits in perfectly with what our church is about but it's way beyond just US--it serves a much larger purpose for a much broader segment. We've even spoken at other churches in the area about what we're doing and work alongside them and they with us. We sincerely want to make a difference and I think we have, I really do," Ms. James adds.

For more information on the "Hearts Of Compassion 5K" please contact Colonial Heights at 601-965-5000 or look on the Colonial Heights Facebook page. Register soon to make sure you get an official race t-shirt.