Christian Peterson
Reporter@riverbendnews.org
“Final Salute Inc.'s (FSI) mission is to provide homeless women Veterans and their children with safe and suitable housing,” the FSI website states. Currently, the government estimates that there are 55,000 homeless female Veterans in the United States. “For the sacrifices they and their families made, this is an unacceptable state,” the website continues. This is why FSI works hard to pay respect to female service members for their sacrifices. “FSI was established to identify and meet the unique needs of homeless women Veterans and their children.”
Farron Richardson has served this country and is preparing to participate in the Miss Veteran America competition. However, due to her station, she is more than aware of the struggles that female Veterans face. This is why she and other Veterans have joined together to begin the first ever Mud Run. This fundraiser will help raise awareness and funds for FSI. “It is to help homeless women Veterans and their children find safe and suitable housing,” Richardson said.
The event will be entirely run by Veterans and will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, starting at 7 a.m., with warm up and the race starting at 8 a.m. The entire event should last about three hours. “We come from different branches, but truly want to help all Veterans and their families,” the event information reads. Anyone aged 13 or older is invited to participate. Pre- registration will cost $25 per person. If registering the day of the race, it will cost $40. “We are excited to see everyone come out and enjoy a fun, dirty course and raise money for a really good cause.” The obstacle course will have a run, hurdles, tire run, mud crawl, balance beam, tire crawl, a slide, a swing, a climb and then will end with another run. It will be held at the North Florida Speedway, located at 287 Race Track Rd., in Lake City. To pre-register and learn more about the race, visit eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-mud-run-for- final-salute-inc-tickets.