Kristi MeGahee, last year's Miss Auburn, is getting the city of Auburn up and running.
This year's Fall 5K Oct. 17 will directly benefit Plainsmen in Action for Wounded Soldiers, a group created by MeGahee, senior in psychology, to raise money for the Lima Foxtrot Program for Injured Military.
The cost of the race is $15, and those interested in participating can register on the SGA website or on the Haley concourse Oct. 11-15.
The Lima Foxtrot Program, a division of the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, organizes several camps throughout the year for injured veterans.
Although the camps are located in the Birmingham area, veterans from all over the country are invited to participate at no cost, according to the Lakeshore Foundation's website.
The camps are specifically designed to help injured soldiers regain an active lifestyle and build confidence in living with a physical handicap, MeGahee said.
Equipment, such as specialized wheelchairs for soccer, tennis and even waterskiing, will be available onsite.
"I think it's really important to encourage them that they can still be active no matter what their injures are," she said.
Throughout her tenure as Miss Auburn, MeGahee and P.A.W.S. will raise money specifically for Operation Lakeshore, a $2.3 million campaign to build new cottages for the Lima Foxtrot participants and their guests.
P.A.W.S. will be teaming up with SGA's annual Fall 5K for its first major fundraiser.
Meha Jha, sophomore in chemical engineering and this year's director of Fall 5K, said she wanted to pair up with P.A.W.S. because so many people have a personal connection to the military.
"We were trying to think of something that would affect a lot of people," said Abby Basinger, junior in public relations and SGA's secretary of University Outreach. "We thought P.A.W.S. would be a great way to unify everyone for a good cause."
Jha said she hopes the entire community will come out and support P.A.W.S. and the Fall 5K.
In addition, Jha has invited Brian Hicks, Auburn graduate and Lima Foxtrot participant, to speak before the race.
Hicks lost his leg because of injuries sustained while serving in Iraq and now wears a prosthesis. He has not let his disability hold him back, though.
Jha said Hicks has competed in more than 20 triathlons as a paralegal triathlete and plans to run in the Fall 5K.
"Brian has been my motivation to make this event even better," Jha said. "He is the perfect example of what the Lakeshore Foundation does."
Jha's goal is to have more than 800 participants and raise about $12,000 for P.A.W.S.
MeGahee encourages all interested in P.A.W.S. to join the Facebook group.
Members of P.A.W.S. are able to help with future fundraisers, serve on committees and attend monthly meetings.
MeGahee's biggest push for P.A.W.S. and the Fall 5K is to "show appreciation for those who have made the sacrifice."
Her twin sister Katie was the inspiration for P.A.W.S. because she served a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq.
"When I would talk to her while she was overseas, it hit me that she's not the only one that's our age that serves," MeGahee said. "I just want to bring awareness to this cause."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
