Gallop of the Ghouls Went Well, Say Organizers

Organizers said the fourth annual “Gallop of the Ghouls” last weekend was a success.

Last Saturday’s race on Tugalo Street in downtown Toccoa raised money for the Open Arms Clinic in Stephens County.

Runners, both2-legged and 4-legged ran and/or walked the 5K course down Tugalo Street toward the airport.

Some came in costume and others just came to support a good cause.

Open Arms Clinic Executive Director Sherry Beavers said that the Open Arms Clinic serves the indigent and working poor citizens of Stephens County who do not have insurance and no way to afford it, helping them with chronic issues like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer.

Over the last decade, the Open Arms Clinic has served over 1200 patients and given out over $15 million in prescription medicines with the help of 91 volunteers.

Sponsors for the race included Jamieson Tax Service, Convalescent Home Equipment, Toccoa Spinners, Vision Source, Threads Sports, and Square One Fitness.

In addition, a group of students from the Stephens County High School National Honor Society
volunteered their time as race monitors and WNEG Radio did a live remote from the race.

The race winners were as follows:

• Cole Morgan: Overall Male Winner
• Hazel Collier: Overall Female Winner
• Katie McJunkin: Age 21-30
• Craig Leverett: Age 31-40
• Tim McLaughlin: Age 41-50
• Donna Presley: Age 51 and Over
• Canine Participants: Laila Dake, Koda Ayers

For more information on the Open Arms Clinic and the work they do in Stephens County, visit its website at www.openarmsclinicga.com.