Reach Out & Run 5K, March 9

The Junior League of Fort Smith will host their second annual Reach Out & Run 5K, Saturday, March 9 at Chaffee Crossing.

The run will start at 8 a.m.

Runners and walkers can register at http://jlfs.org/jlfs/ReachOutAndRun. The fee is $20 per person or $15 per person for groups of four or more.

The 5K is open to families and pets, as well.

Much like Holiday Market, which is held in the Fall, the event serves as a fundraiser for the League’s community projects like Kids in the Kitchen, Project G.E.M. (Girls Education and Mentoring), and their work with the Children’s Emergency Shelter.

The League’s focus is Aging Out of Foster Care. JLFS will partner with the Department of Human Services to help area foster children.

Their upcoming projects include an “Independent City” which will teach foster child beginning at the age of 14 how to tackle daily life skills, such as cooking meals, applying for jobs, paying bills and balancing a checkbook.

“We’re going to get those kids, and we’re going to teach them fundamentals. “We’re going to make it fun and interactive,” said JLFS president Amanda Tolbert. “If you get them early and you help them learn, when they are 18 they will be ready to get out there and tackle the world.”

To learn more about the Junior League of Fort Smith, visit http://jlfs.org/