Between Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, there is a chance to take a break from the festivities to get exercise. The Auburn-Opelika Running and Track Association is hosting their annual Toys For Tots run Saturday.
The race will take place at Auburn High School with the help of the AHS Junior ROTC. This will be JROTC's second year helping with the race.
"We took the cadets, and they became traffic directors," said Jon Segars, senior Army instructor for JROTC. "They were out on the course not only stopping the vehicular traffic, but telling the runners where to go."
Segars said the JROTC members must be passing all of their classes and behave in class if they want to help with community service events such as the race.
"If you can't behave yourself in class in high school, you don't get to do community service with us," Segars said.
Jarnard Richmond, junior at AHS, is a JROTC cadet. Richmond said he encouraged his family and friends to participate in the run.
"I try to tell them that it's good and that they should do it," Richmond said.
Richmond said his favorite part of helping at the Toys for Tots run was being able to help a good cause.
Approximately 25 of the students from JROTC help with the run, and others participate in the run.
Alvin Walls, AORTA member, said AORTA was started in the early 1970s, and he has been involved since 1981. The group has weekly group runs and promotes running and physical fitness in a fun way. AORTA is a volunteer organization that organizes races within the community and has training programs for different level runners.
"We wanted to do a race in December between Thanksgiving and Christmas and thought this would be a good opportunity to provide some support for community activities," Walls said. "We can, contribute some gifts to needy children."
Walls said they have been doing a Toys For Tots run for approximately 20 years at locations around the community.
The Auburn Police Division and Fire Department help collect and distribute the money and toys.
"The requirements are you need to bring an unwrapped new toy," Walls said. "Also, there's an entry fee which usually covers your T-shirt and awards."
Any money left over goes to Toys For Tots along with the donated toys. There are three options for participants to run. Starting at 7:30 a.m., there is a 5K and a 10K option.
At 9 a.m., there will be a one-mile fun run.
"A lot of people - new runners and children - participate in (the event)," Walls said. "For many of them it's their first opportunity to participate in a competitive event."
Walls said normally 200-250 people participate. For more information on the race visit https://runsignup.com/race/al/auburn/aortatoysfortots5k.
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