To help some of Mississippi’s disabled hunters roll through the woods, a local organization is trying to get Vicksburg’s residents to run through the streets.

Hope Outdoors is hosting the inaugural Racin’ 4 Hope 5K run on Saturday, Aug. 19 in downtown Vicksburg. The event is a fundraiser for the group, but also designed to raise awareness of its mission.

Hope Outdoors is a non-denominational Christian ministry that takes disabled children and adults on hunting and fishing trips.

“The last two years I have just door knocked. The whole idea is to plant a seed, and the more people you get involved in the community the more it helps,” said Doris Rippy, assistant director of the West Mississippi/Vicksburg Chapter of Hope Outdoors. “The race is to let the public know we’re here, and if you know somebody who needs to get out we can help them.”

The West Mississippi/Vicksburg Chapter of Hope Outdoors is in its third year of existence. It partners with sponsors and area landowners to provide the hunting experiences for disabled residents. The landowners allow the group to use their property for the hunts.

The first year’s hunt included 18 people, and the second had 22. Rippy said the only real limits on how many people the organization can include each year are the number of volunteers and the amount of land available.
It’s hoped that the 5K will raise awareness of the organization and increase both.

“This year we’re going to see what happens. The more land we have, the more people we can take,” Rippy said.
The Racin’ 4 Hope 5K run and walk is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 at First Baptist Church, 1607 Cherry Street. A fun run will follow at 9 a.m. The entry fees are $25 for the 5K and $15 for the fun run.

Advance registration is now open at raceroster.com, and raceday registration begins at 7 a.m. at First Baptist Church.

For more information, visit HopeOutdoors.org or Facebook.com/hopeoutdoors.

RACIN’ FOR HOPE 5K
• Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.
• Race begins at First Baptist Church, 1607 Cherry St. Raceday registration starts at 7 a.m.
• Entry fee is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1-mile fun run
• Proceeds benefit Hope Outdoors, a non-denominational Christian ministry that provides hunting and fishing trips for disabled children and adults
• Online registration and information available at raceroster.com and Facebook.com/hopeoutdoors