Supporters Run for Mercy in Tennessee and Louisiana!

The weather was cool and crisp in Nashville last Saturday, just perfect for the 3rd Annual Run for Mercy 5K and Family Walk. The event was a huge success with 855 participants, including some of our Nashville Mercy residents! All the girls cheered everyone on and were amazed at the outpouring of love and support from the Nashville community. Here’s what some of the girls had to say about this special day:

I loved being at the Run for Mercy 5k. It was amazing to see how many people were supporting us and encouraging us all throughout the day. I felt very blessed and so thankful! God is so faithful to all of us, and we are so thankful for all He has given us! - Danielle

It was fun to watch on the sidelines and cheer my Mercy sisters on! God is good and has provided so much for us! I’m so thankful for the people, organizations, and other ministries that support us. I’m definitely going to be participating next year! - Alyona

This was an awesome experience! I had a great time walking with my Mercy sisters. We laughed, talked, and had fun! It was cool to see all the people supporting us and their encouragement. It gave me a great feeling, and God showed Himself so much to me through the 5k. - Andrea

Mercy graduate, Jen, and her mom show their support

This was a very family friendly event with special activities for the kids including face painting, bounce houses and an exciting Kid’s Fun Run.

After the race, awards and door prizes were handed out, including a drawing for a free iPad. Our top fundraiser, David Houston, won an Apple gift card for his efforts.

Top Nashville fundraiser, David Houston

Lauren, a 2008 Mercy graduate, shared her amazing story of how her live was transformed while at Mercy ministries. Not only did her time at Mercy have a life-changing impact on her, but her entire family has been impacted and restored.

2008 Graduate, Lauren

Our special thanks to sponsors Exodus Health Center, Churchill Mortgage, Southwestern Investment Services and Monarch Landscaping for making this event possible. A total of $50,985 has been raised so far by our sponsors and participants, and if you missed this event, you can still help us reach our goal of $75,000 by going to www.runformercy.org and making a donation.

Check out this amazing video of race day done by The Funky Umbrella:


Nashville Mercy Run 5k 2011 from Funky Umbrella on Vimeo.

Runners, walkers, families with strollers and Mercy girls were also lining up in Monroe, Louisiana Saturday. This amazing community came out and showed their support in the first ever Monroe Run for Mercy 5K. The race was a big hit with 380 participants and a total of $26,897 raised. Mercy graduates came in from around the country to show their support and encourage our current residents. Many Mercy supporters travelled great distances to attend the event!

Recent Mercy graduate, Malorie, blessed the crowd with her beautiful singing prior to race time and afterwards shared her powerful story of how God saved her life through her coming to Mercy Ministries!

2011 Graduate, Malorie

Our special thanks to Lamar Advertising, William Rogers and Fit Right Active, LTD (Leadership Team Development), Louisiana Pain Care, the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women for sponsoring this event. Thanks also to AOPi Sorority for providing 30 volunteers to help the race run smoothly.

AOPi Sorority Volunteers

We would like to thank all of the many volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to make both of these races successful. Whether you ran, walked, strolled or volunteered and cheered, you made a huge impact on the lives of the hurting young women we serve. Some of our residents were out on the course participating with you and others were cheering you on, but each one of them was so excited to get to see the love and sacrifice that was poured out by you for Mercy. Your support helps make the difference in the lives of so many hurting young women!