Griggs Hampton, Mount Airy’s charity fundraiser extraordinaire, is no longer around to support worthy causes, but would be proud that his work is continuing — including an event scheduled Saturday.
Multiple charities will be the beneficiaries of the second-annual Griggs Fun Run at Riverside Park in Mount Airy, which will feature a pink fire truck as a special attraction.
“I just know that’s what he would want,” said Donna Hiatt, a longtime friend of Hampton, who died of brain cancer in December 2011 at age 62. He spent most of his life raising money for various efforts, including soliciting more than $100,000 in donations for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life campaign and the March of Dimes alone.
The spirit of Hampton’s volunteerism will be alive and well Saturday morning when funds will be solicited from the public to support those causes among others.
“Different charities are going to be there representing their own charity,” Hiatt explained. In addition to Relay for Life and March of Dimes, the event will aid sufferers of lupus, autism and other groups including the Surry Cancer Awareness Team. Along with accepting contributions, the representatives plan to distribute information on their individual efforts including flyers about upcoming walks.
About eight charities are to be represented, Hiatt said of Saturday’s event that begins at 9 a.m. She encourages showing up earlier to sign up for the chance to win door prizes along with designating the charities one seeks to support.
Hiatt emphasized that the Griggs Fun Run offers a chance to support many causes during the same event — something its namesake would have appreciated.
“I want his memory to carry on,” she said of the overall purpose of Saturday’s gathering, “because he was all about raising money for other people.”
While it is being billed as a “fun run,” there will be no official times kept during the event that Hiatt envisions as a family type affair in which people can walk, or run, on the Ararat River Greenway at their leisure. “There’s no limit — they can walk as long as they want,” she said. “It’s basically going to be a fun thing.”
In addition to door prizes, vouchers for free food from Chick-fil-A will be given out along with hot chocolate.
Pink Fire Truck
The pink fire truck likely will stand out Saturday at Riverside Park — which is exactly what event organizers are wanting to happen.
It is part of the Pink Heals program that raises awareness about cancer of all forms.
Those attending the Griggs Fun Run will be able to have their pictures made with the special vehicle parked there — and more. “They can actually write their names on it,” Hiatt said. Breast cancer survivors are especially encouraged to see the inspirational truck firsthand.
“It stays in High Point,” Hiatt said of the vehicle that travels to various locations around the Triad region. “It’s going to tour all over the United States.”
Mayor Deborah Cochran will attend the Griggs Fun Run and possibly state Rep. Sarah Stevens.
Those unable to be there can still support the mission by sending donations to the Griggs Memorial Fund at Surrey Bank & Trust, 145 N. Renfro St., Mount Airy, NC, 27030.
Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@civitasmedia.com.
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