Looking for a way to honor mom this Mother’s Day weekend? Abba House has the ticket. The residential facility that helps women overcome issues such as substance abuse and mental or emotional challenges will hold its sixth annual Run for Recovery on Saturday. Themed “We Love Moms,” the run fundraiser is focused on honoring mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Run for Recovery is Abba House’s largest fundraiser of the year, with other proceeds being raised on an ongoing basis through its two thrift stores in the county. “What better way to honor your mom or enjoy your own Mother’s Day weekend while helping a great cause than to lace up for Abba House’s Run for Recovery,” said Rachel Bullington, public relations director for the Silver City facility. The fundraiser will offer three different running events: a 5K; 10K; and a new 10-mile run. For younger runners, there will also be a one-mile “Kiddie Run.” Registration will begin about 6 a.m. at Vickery Village, on Post Road in southwest Forsyth. All races will take place along the Big Creek Greenway, with runners being shuttled from Vickery to the race start in Fowler Park. An awards ceremony will follow each race at the village courtyard, with prizes for fastest overall male and female in several age categories.In addition, awards will be given for team spirit, most inspiring mother and fastest CEO or pastor. Throughout the morning, there will also be a festival for families with inflatables, clowns, face painting and giveaways from local sponsors, as well as a free concert by the Christian band, August Rain. Holding the Run for Recovery on Mother’s Day weekend is important to Abba House leaders since the 15-month residential program encourages the maternal relationship. “Abba House is the only therapeutic program in the northern part of Georgia that allows children to join their mother as the healing process progresses,” said executive director Jim Sharp, who co-founded the Forsyth ministry in 2000 with wife Chris. In 2002, Abba House expanded to Perry, with a second facility for women and children. The ministry has a success rate of 78 percent, which is more than double the average of government-mandated programs. “Abba House is a model that we hope to duplicate around the country and in other parts of the world to give women hope and help them experience the love of God,” Sharp said. According to Bullington, people can help locally by participating in Saturday’s run. Last year’s event drew about 500 people and she’s hoping for a similar turnout this year.
Looking for a way to honor mom this Mother’s Day weekend? Abba House has the ticket. The residential facility that helps women overcome issues such as substance abuse and mental or emotional challenges will hold its sixth annual Run for Recovery on Saturday. Themed “We Love Moms,” the run fundraiser is focused on honoring mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Run for Recovery is Abba House’s largest fundraiser of the year, with other proceeds being raised on an ongoing basis through its two thrift stores in the county. “What better way to honor your mom or enjoy your own Mother’s Day weekend while helping a great cause than to lace up for Abba House’s Run for Recovery,” said Rachel Bullington, public relations director for the Silver City facility. The fundraiser will offer three different running events: a 5K; 10K; and a new 10-mile run. For younger runners, there will also be a one-mile “Kiddie Run.” Registration will begin about 6 a.m. at Vickery Village, on Post Road in southwest Forsyth. All races will take place along the Big Creek Greenway, with runners being shuttled from Vickery to the race start in Fowler Park. An awards ceremony will follow each race at the village courtyard, with prizes for fastest overall male and female in several age categories.In addition, awards will be given for team spirit, most inspiring mother and fastest CEO or pastor. Throughout the morning, there will also be a festival for families with inflatables, clowns, face painting and giveaways from local sponsors, as well as a free concert by the Christian band, August Rain. Holding the Run for Recovery on Mother’s Day weekend is important to Abba House leaders since the 15-month residential program encourages the maternal relationship. “Abba House is the only therapeutic program in the northern part of Georgia that allows children to join their mother as the healing process progresses,” said executive director Jim Sharp, who co-founded the Forsyth ministry in 2000 with wife Chris. In 2002, Abba House expanded to Perry, with a second facility for women and children. The ministry has a success rate of 78 percent, which is more than double the average of government-mandated programs. “Abba House is a model that we hope to duplicate around the country and in other parts of the world to give women hope and help them experience the love of God,” Sharp said. According to Bullington, people can help locally by participating in Saturday’s run. Last year’s event drew about 500 people and she’s hoping for a similar turnout this year.