We are so blessed!

We had less than 60 days to organize the race.  Our initial goal was to have 250 people sign up.  We exceeded & doubled that number by the end of the day.  I can not thank the volunteers enough for all their help and support.   The day of the race I did not expect Todd and Sara to show up.   When it came time to give out the trophies,  it was so emotional to see Ella with her Daddy next to me,  I forgot to thank all the volunteers.   Everything I wanted to say, went down my cheeks with my tears!    Please forgive me!

Every penny we raised has gone back into the account that we set up for this event.  We had less than $400.00 in expenses to put the race on.  Toilets, and timing!  Other than that, everything else was donated by our wonderful sponsors.

I also have to give Mike Johnsey a big old hug!  In our first brainstorm meeting about the race, he mentioned that his company has a special charity that out of every payroll check of his, he personally donates a little money to this charity.   Mike decided to take the initiative and write a letter about Ella.   He never expected to hear anything back from them, but it was worth a shot.    Yesterday,  we got a check for $2500.00!!!! from Christian Foundation Inc, which is located in  Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

With this final check, it brings the total amount raised to $15,000!

Big Kudo’s to our friend Burt Rich for taking the time to come out and shoot the race.  There are several Galleries regarding the race in the Friends category. Prints are pro quality and priced low. All proceeds go to Ella from the prints.   UPDATED Link to Photos.

More Photos from Paul Henry.

Thanks again to everyone for making today such a success for the Brown family!  It was truly amazing to see our community come together for Ella.  Keep RunForElla.com on your favorites a little while longer as we post links to photos, race results, monies raised, and future “RunForElla” events.

We should be done updating by Tuesday!

Have a Blessed Day!

Run for Ella 5K, Fayetteville, TN, June 27, 2009

Over All
Age Groups

If you have pre-registered for the “Run for Ella” and would like to pick up your items prior to Saturday a.m., you can go by Elk River Coffee Company on Friday, June 26th, between the hours of 5-7p.m.  Otherwise, registration will open on Saturday at 7a.m. at the Cotton Mill Preserve located at 240 Shelbyville Highway, past Copperweld.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me or to call, 993-9572.

We are looking forward to a great day!

Regards – Amy Higgins

Our original plan was to put all the sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped with the Trail Ride,  Riverside’s Benefit Auction, and the Trail Run/Walk on the back of all the shirts. Fortunately, we encountered a problem! We had so many wonderful people and companies help out, that,  even if we did them in a tiny font,  it would not fit on the shirt. This is the first time, out of the millions of shirts we have printed, that we just could not do it.  Also, due to this wonderful outpouring, I was afraid of leaving someone off the shirts and disappointing them.

We chose, instead, to put a quote Sara saw on one of the garden walls at Atlanta’s Children’s Hospital :

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove.but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” Forest E. Witcraft

I also want to share what Sara said when she read this wonderful quote :  “It is exactly right.. all the things we seem to think are so important..really aren’t.  Most of our ambitions are for good reason.”

To all the sponsors, donors and volunteers who have helped in any way :

We know it is a blessing from God that you have been moved to act by this event and we hope you understand.

Ella is a 6-year-old girl who was injured in a tragic accident on Saturday, April 18th.  She was pinned between two vehicles and received serious trauma to her chest and lungs.  She has a broken arm, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone as well as lacerations to her left arm.  Ella was med flighted from the scene to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where she stayed for sixteen days.

Ella is currently in Atlanta’s Children’s Rehabilitation Unit.  Her condition continues to improve on a daily basis but Ella’s life as she once knew it has been altered, as have the lives of those who love her so dearly.

The “Run for Ella” is a fundraiser created by friends and family to help cover unexpected financial burdens that go along with such a devastating accident.  100% of the funds will go directly towards Ella and, eventually, helping other children in her same position as this will become an annual event.

To follow Ella’s story, please visit www.PrayForElla.com

Registration Form

Sign up here online! Or Click here to print out the form and mail it in.

Mail it to:
Bank of Lincoln County
c/o Emily Creson
P.O. Box 778
Fayetteville, TN, 37334

Saturday, June 27th (rain or shine!)

Start/Finish:
Cotton Mill Preserve
204 Shelbyville Hwy
Fayetteville, TN 37334

Directions to Fayetteville
Map & Directions
(located 1/2 mile North of Copperweld)    Look for the signs!

5k Walk/Run Start at 8 a.m.
$25.00 if postmarked by June 19th
$30.00 for late registration and day-of-run registration
* Fee includes event bag with Run for Ella art embossed & t-shirt- only guaranteed to pre-registered participants.

1k Walk/Run Start at 9:30 a.m.
$10.00 if postmarked by June 19th
$15.00 for late registration and day-of-run registration
* T-shirt included in fee – only guaranteed to pre-registered participants.

Awards 10a.m.

Top three finishers will be recognized in each age group.  Overall top male, female, oldest and youngest will be given trophies.

Registration Form

Sign up here online! Or Click here to print out the form and mail it in.

Packet pick-up
Runners/Walkers can pick up their packets starting at 6:30a.m. on Saturday, June 27th.

You can also pick up your packets Friday, June 26th from 5-7 pm at Elk River Coffee Shop.

Poster for Ella