A Hero's 5K raises more than $9K for veteran support groups

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The fourth annual A Hero’s 5K, held earlier this year at Furman University, raised over $9K for two veteran support organizations, it was announced Monday.

Gold Star Family Steve and Debby Whitsitt presented the event proceeds to Upstate Warrior Solution and Patriot Rovers at a ceremony at Greenville County Square.

The Whitsitts are the parents of Greenville native SPC Geoffrey Whitsitt, who died January 13, 2010, at Combat Outpost McClain, Afghanistan, from wounds he suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

In 2010, Debbie Whitsitt and another area resident, Cheryl Childers, launched A Hero's 5K to raise awareness of the sacrifices made each day by the U.S. Military and to raise money to support the needs of South Carolina servicemen and women and their families.

Upstate Warrior Solution is a community-based non-profit organization that connects Upstate warriors and their families to the resources they need, guiding them through the process of developing realistic solutions for a variety of areas of their lives.

Patriot Rovers provides professionally trained and certified psychiatric service dogs, instruction, therapeutic group camaraderie and support services to veterans struggling with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury as a result of their service to our country.

The 2015 A Hero’s 5K will be held at Furman University on Sat., Feb. 7, 2015. Further event information is available at www.aheros5k.com. Volunteers are needed now to help organize the event.

(Bottom photo via A Hero's 5K Facebook page.)