H.O.P.E for a Drug Free Stephens County to host inaugural Turkey Trot 5K

Hope for a Drug Free Stephens County is pleased to announce its inaugural Turkey Trot 5K run/walk/trot which will take place in downtown Toccoa.

The members of Stephens County Mental Health and Addiction Alliance launched HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens County with the goals of protecting the community from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in Stephens County.

At its core, the HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens County initiative is about awareness and making Stephens County healthier, safer, stronger, and drug free.

Stephens County Mental Health and Addiction Alliance Co-Chair Kathy Whitmire says the 5K is just one event Stephens County Mental Health and Addiction Alliance has planned to help bring awareness to the local opioid crisis.

She says all proceeds from the 5K will go towards bringing awareness to Opioid Use Disorder in the community and to the prevention of overdose deaths here in Stephens County.

The Turkey Trot 5K will be held on Saturday, November 9. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in front of City Hall, in downtown Toccoa, and the race will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

There is no cost to participate in the Turkey Trot; however, donations will be accepted.

Whitmire says participants will receive a free water bottle.

She adds that 25 vouchers for free turkeys will also be given away, for those donning turkey costumes during the 5K.

For additional information, to make a donation or to register in advance, call Whitmire at 706-491-3493 or Stephens County Mental Health and Addiction Alliance Co-Chair Danny Yearwood at 706-491-9027.