One local business is spearheading a 5K run to raise money for a Ripley family to help pay for funeral expenses after three of its members died in recent flash flooding.
“We felt a huge loss for our community when we went through this tragedy and wanted to do something to help (the family),” said Erin Peters, the medical records director at Ohio Valley Manor, which is organizing the 5K.
Victoria Kennard, 32, was killed July 18 along with 7-year-old Gabriel Barrios and his 5-year-old sister, Rosalinda Barrios, in the flood. Kennard’s husband, Tony Barrios, and two other children survived the incident.
The OVM Better Tomorrows 5K is Saturday, Aug. 8. It begins at 8 a.m. on Front Street in Ripley. Registration begins at 7 a.m.
The cost is $20 which includes a T-shirt, water and banana. The T-shirt is only guaranteed for individuals who pre-register by July 31, which can be done online at ohiovalleymanor.com or by mail at 5280 U.S. 62, Ripley OH 45167.
Peters said more than 50 “back-of-T-shirt” sponsors have stepped up to help OVM.
“That amazes me how well tight-knit this community is, and we appreciate everyone’s support in this effort to help the family,” Peters said.
Based on the number of sponsors and feedback from the community, Peters believes the turnout will be “huge” for the 5K.
In another event to help the family, on Saturday, hundreds of people gathered to attend a benefit concert for them in Ripley, which was originally scheduled to be a fundraiser for the Rural Heritage Festival. Those plans came to a halt when organizers decided the event should be used to help raise money for Barrios and his family.
For more information about the 5K, contact Sarah Schneider at OVM at 937-392-4318, ext. 253.
Reach Lora Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @AbernathyLora.
