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VALLEY — Supporters of Valley Haven School are gearing up for the 2020 Hike/Bike/Run fundraiser. This year’s chairperson met at the school Tuesday evening for a planning session in the school cafeteria.

Don Cleveland will again serve as the overall chairman for this year’s Hike/Bike/Run. He has been active with the Hike/Bike/Run for 38 years and served as an area chairman for 26 years before becoming the overall chairman. Cleveland is an attorney whose office is in downtown West Point. He has practiced law in Chambers, Troup and Harris counties for more than 40 years.

The Hike/Bike/Run is the main fundraising activity for Valley Haven School.

This year’s event will be taking place on Saturday, May 2.

Several hundred participants are expected to hike, ride a bike or trike, run or bowl to raise funds toward this year’s goal of $100,000. All funds will be used for the local matching share for the state and federal grants funding the school.

Assisting Cleveland as area chairpersons for this year’s Hike/Bike/Run are Janice Avery, J.T. Barker, Lessie Beck, Tommy Benton, Richard Bolt, Sam Bradford, Craig Brown, Ella Burton, Chris Busby, Christy Carpenter, Travis Carter, Heather Coker, Mike Cox, Cindy Daniel, Mary Ann Daves, Lynn Duncan, Tony Edmondson, Shelby Flakes, Paula Frazier, Neita Golden, Sherry Grady, Diane Greene, Hannah Hall, Mary Hamilton, Diane Harris, Essie Mae Harris, Rachel Harris, Kelli Hodge, Wanda Huguley, Gene Ingram, Trudye Johnson, Brenda Jones, Debbie Kelley, Eddie Lanier, Hattie Lett, Mary Lett, Sid Lockhart, Liz Magby, Robin Miles, Chris Miller, China Morgan, Lynn Oliver, Anne Ponder, Tony Powers, Mychaela Ray, June Rogers, Rod Ross, Peggy Smith, Jennifer Tidwell, Freddie Trammell, Lisa Turner, Lisa Walton, Valerie Washington, Macy Whorton, Jo Ellen Weldon, Tommy Weldon and Irmgard Westfall.

The concept of the Hike/Bike/Run is simple. Participants trike, bike, ride or run over a designated route for pledges. Prizes are awarded in several different categories. All participants who have $50 or more in pledges will receive the new Hike/Bike/Run t-shirt.

Events in this year’s Hike/Bike/Run include Casual Day Thursdays in April, LaFayette Day, Car Show and Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, April 11, the Hike/Bike/Run Auction on Friday, April 24, the Peach Walk on Friday, May 1, the Hike/Bike/Run on Saturday, May 2 and Bowling for Valley Haven at Valley Bowl on Tuesday, May 5.

“The Hike/Bike/Run gives residents of our area an opportunity to support Valley Haven, our local school for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Cleveland said. “We are grateful for the continued support and growth of the Hike/Bike/Run. For the last 30 years, the Hike/Bike/Run has raised over $100,000 each year. We are planning to do that again this year. I am proud to help Valley Haven provide this valuable service to the community. I would like to call on everyone to join me and to participate in this year’s Hike/Bike/Run. Anyone of any age can take part.”

New Hike/Bike/Run forms have been mailed to last year’s participants. Anyone who has yet to receive their form can call the school and one will be sent to you. For more information, contact Valley Haven School at (334) 756-7801 or (334) 756-2868 during the school day.