Spring is in the air, and people naturally are drawn outside to exercise and enjoy the fresh air.
One of the most popular exercises is walking, especially early in the morning. If you enjoy walking and want to do it for a worthy cause, you are invited to the fourth annual Jackie Gilliard-Henderson Memorial Scholarship Walk-a-thon on Saturday, May 17. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Bradwell Institute baseball field, with the walk starting at 7 a.m.
This event is sponsored by Seven Ministries of Liberty County Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
“The purpose of this fundraiser is to award scholarships to deserving high-school seniors from Bradwell Institute and Liberty County High School who plan to further their education by attending college or technical school,” said Gary Gilliard, president/CEO of Seven Ministries and the son of the late Jackie Gilliard-Henderson. “Funds raised also help support the organization’s other programs.”
Gilliard described his mother as “a simple country girl” from Mendes, a Tattnall County community.
“Although she didn’t have much, she gave what she had and encouraged my brothers and our families to do the same,” he said. “We’re simply pleased to honor her legacy with this annual after Mother’s Day walk.”
Gilliard said the scholarship’s gifts will be given in the memory of Gilliard-Henderson and others who have “meant so much to us over the years — people such as Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Riles, Mr. Bobby Fussell, Mr. Sam Frasier, Mrs. Maggie Ann Gause-Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Price, Mrs. Alice Freeman, Mr. William Varnedoe and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Williams. We have invited and expect our 2014 award recipients to join us as well.”
County Commissioners Marion Stevens, Justin Frasier and Connie Thrift will be the grand marshals for this year’s event.  
“The community is invited to support this worthy cause,” Gilliard said. “Since it is spring and we realize there are a lot of other events scheduled for that weekend, what we are doing will not interfere with anything. As a matter of fact, we hope that people will use this early morning walk to jump start their day.”
The walk has been shortened this year from 7 miles to 4.5 miles.
Registration is $20 per adult. For additional information about the walk or to make a contribution, call Gilliard at 977-3527.