CRESTVIEW — The number of participants nearly doubled event organizer’s expectations, following a benefit 5K for Drew Barefield and his family.
Nearly 300 registered for #RunforDrew 5K on Saturday morning at Davidson Middle School, said event organizer Craig Shaw.
PHOTOS: See 20 photos from the #RunforDrew 5K >>
“It exceeded expectations, we were only expecting a minimum of 150 (participants),” Shaw said.
With the registration fees, donations and sponsorships from local businesses, event organizers estimated that the 5K raised nearly $7,000 for the family.
Justin Wyatt, a minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church –where the Barefield family attends, said the continuing support from residents in the community is what makes the area unique.
“You don’t have this kind of community support anywhere else,” he said.
Residents even came from the south end of Okaloosa County to participate, like the Reid family from Niceville.
After following Drew’s progress on Facebook, Chris said his family wanted to do their part to help.
“We feel like we should come out and support his family and suffer the 20 minutes of pain for the three months of what (Drew) has been going through,” Chris said.
Many residents have shown their support for 12-year-old Drew Barefield, after he suffered critical injuries in a boating accident on June 28.
While several residents regularly participate in area fundraising 5K events, it was the first for others. Crestview resident Kaden Joyce, 8, said he had been practicing prior to running in the event’s fun run for children.
Kaden said he was both excited and nervous about running in his first event. Regardless, Kaden said supporting Drew is the main reason for participating.
“This is to support him,” he said.
In addition to the amount of funds raised for the Barefield family, additional good news was announced at the event. Wyatt said Drew is expected to return home this week after undergoing rehabilitation in Atlanta.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nearly 300 participate in 5K fundraiser for Barefield family (PHOTOS, VIDEO)