Emerging Leaders United, a United Way leadership and professional development program, kicks off 2019 with a free mixer featuring guest speaker Kevin Dyson, a former Tennessee Titan. The professionals group looks forward to networking and sharing their purpose and activities while enjoying a casual evening with the community.
FRANKLIN, Tennessee – For 40 years, thousands of people have gathered in downtown Franklin on Labor Day to run for a good cause. Since 1998, the Franklin Classic has been the primary fundraiser for Mercy Community Healthcare, a comprehensive non-profit health clinic providing high quality care to middle Tennessee patients of all ages.
The 40th Annual Franklin Classic is set for Labor Day (Monday, September 3) on the Public Square in Franklin, offering 5K and 10K races open to anyone regardless of age or skill level, as well as a 1K Fun Run for kids. Registration is now open at franklinclassic.org, and event organizers are commemorating the milestone from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 with a celebration at Puckett’s Boat House on East Main Street.
“Anyone who’s been in Williamson County for long has likely supported the Franklin Classic in some way, as a runner, a sponsor, a planner or a spectactor,” said Cindy Siler, CEO of Mercy Community Healthcare. “Many have been beneficiaries of the proceeds raised by the event, and many more may be new to town. We welcome anyone with an interest to join us as we kick off the 40th Annual race, and celebrate 40 years of this community’s contributions.”
With a goal of 4,000 runners for the anniversary event, local businesses, churches, clubs, schools and other organizations are encouraged to create teams to run (or walk) the races.
“Every year, we see people who achieve personal health and fitness goals, having worked toward this race for months. It’s rewarding for us to have played a part in someone’s life in that way – and to then use the proceeds to be a blessing in other people’s lives by providing access to quality healthcare,” Siler said.
The 40th Anniversary Franklin Classic Kickoff event is free and open to the public, and donations are appreciated. Please RSVP to marketing@mercytn.org.
To learn more or register as a runner, please visit www.franklinclassic.org.
About Mercy
Mercy Community Healthcare was founded in 1999 as Mercy Children’s Clinic, with a mission to reflect the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by providing excellent healthcare to ALL and support to their families. The non-profit clinic added mental health and social services to its integrated care program in 2006, and expanded to a new facility at Williamson Square on Murfreesboro Road in 2009. Mercy was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services designating it as a Federally Qualified Health Center in June 2012, and in 2013, Mercy merged with Grace Medical Clinic and opened the Richard Anderson Adult Center.
As a result of this additional area of focus, Mercy Children’s Clinic transitioned to Mercy Community Healthcare. With its new name, Mercy Community Healthcare seeks to reflect its mission of providing quality, experienced care to everyone – adults, children, insured and uninsured, throughout Middle Tennessee.
As a non-profit community health provider, Mercy depends on the support of private donations to operate. For more information or to get involved, please visit www.mercycommunityhealthcare.org.
Nashville Locals Rally to Support Innovative Lung Cancer Research
Free to Breathe 5K and 1-Mile Walk on Sunday, November 5, 2017 to Fund Research and Double Survival
NASHVILLE, TN – Hundreds of local residents are joining forces to fight lung cancer, united in the belief that surviving lung cancer should be the expectation, not the exception. The Nashville Free to Breathe 5K and 1-Mile Walk will take place Sunday, November 5 at the Edwin Warner Park (7311 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221). All proceeds from the event support Free to Breathe, a lung cancer research and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing lung cancer survival. New this year, there is no registration fee. In order to received an event day t-shirt, participants must raise a minimum of $100.
“By fundraising and joining us on event day, you are bringing hope to those affected by the disease and their families,” said volunteer event chair Ron Hollis of Brentwood. “Lung cancer claims more lives each year than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined, yet these three cancers receive more research funding. More treatment options are needed, and the innovative research we’re funding through the fundraising efforts of our community can help ensure everyone diagnosed with the disease has a fighting chance.”
The Free to Breathe events community has raised over $16 million to support groundbreaking research and educational programs since 2005. Funds raised support life saving lung cancer research, promote access to clinical trials while building and empowering the lung cancer community.
Last year, community members, teams, and companies across the region supported the Nashville Free to Breathe 5K Walk by raising over $29,000. Event chairs hope to surpass that total in 2017, which will go a long way in supporting programs specifically designed to ensure that more patients become survivors. Every dollar counts to the more than 224,000 people diagnosed in the U.S with lung cancer each year. In Tennessee alone, an estimated 5,830 residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017.
This year’s event will feature a 5K and 1-Mile Walk. The day will also include kids’ activities music and fun for the whole family. Special recognition will be given to top finishers and fundraisers. Gather your squad, and join us for an inspiring day focused on doubling lung cancer survival. To register and begin fundraising, visit www.freetobreathe.org/nashville
12:30 p.m. – Registration & check-in
1:30 p.m. – Opening Rally
2:00 p.m. – 5K Walk
2:05 p.m. – 1-Mile Walk
3:15 p.m. – Closing Rally
Free to Breathe
Free to Breathe, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a partnership of lung cancer survivors, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry leaders dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival by 2022. For more information, visit www.freetobreathe.org.
“Franklin on the Fourth” in Downtown Franklin, TNFranklin, Tennessee – This year’s 4th of July Celebration will focus on family fun and include great music, quality crafts, tasty food, antique cars, and a large kids zone. Downtown Franklin, TN is the perfect location to have a festival and community event such as “Franklin on the Fourth”.
The free festival kicks off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4th, with bluegrass music playing from the stage. Food vendors include everything from roasted corn on the cob to BBQ, ice cream to nachos; and corn dogs to smoothies. Craft vendors will fill the area with wood working, jewelry and other handmade items.
Presenting sponsors, Kroger and Williamson Medical Center, will have booths right on the Square. Antique cars will line Main Street between the square and 4th Avenue. The kid’s zone on 3rd Avenue North will have inflatables, a petting zoo, and pony rides. The always fun Children’s Parade begins lining up at 4:45 and starts at 5 p.m. Registration for the parade is free and goes on all day at the Lions Club booth, which also will be selling water.
Live entertainment, including popular groups Mersi Stone, Tommy Jackson’s Rocky Top Revue, Williamson Branch, Adam Searan, and John England and the Western Swingers , continues throughout the day with a variety of music genres including Bluegrass, Country, Soul, Patriotic Music, and Big Band Swing. The final group of the day will be the 129th Army Band, “Guardians of Swing”, preceded by the presentation of colors and the “National Anthem”.
Franklin on the Fourth ends at 8 p.m. to give attendees time to get to the Fireworks Display at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. The display, put on by the City of Franklin and its sponsors, will begin at approximately 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Jul. 4, 2017
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
KID’S 1 MILE FUN RUN
$10 per child
Event Information
Proceeds from all YMCA Race Series events benefit the YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s Annual Giving Campaign. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y uses Annual Giving Campaign contributions to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve community health and well-being and support of people in need right in your own neighborhood. By participating in this race, you’re making an enduring, lasting impact in your community by giving everyone, regardless of age, income or background, the opportunities they need to learn, grow and thrive.
Please see website for more information.
Open to runners and walkers from novice to professional, the Hillbilly Half Marathon and Little Billy 5K celebrates its fifth year in 2017. The USATF certified racecourse is nestled in the pristine backcountry of Williamson County just minutes from downtown Franklin, TN. Over the past five years, the half marathon has attracted up to as many as 1,000 participants each year.
Up-and-coming country recording artist Zach Stone is set to headline the early morning “finish line festivities” at the 5th Annual Hillbilly Half Marathon and Little Billy 5K in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. on Saturday, June 3. Originated as the Franklin Half Marathon, the 2017 race marks its fifth running this June; the Hillbilly Half has become a special, must-attend community event for avid runners and enthusiastic family members, friends and neighbors.
For more information about the 2017 Hillbilly Half Marathon and Little Billy 5K or to register for the race, please visit http://www.hillbillyhalf.com or email race director Andy Johnson at rd@hillbillyhalf.com. For more information on Zach Stone, visit zachstonecountry.com.
Mayor Ken Moore Gives State of the City Speech, Wednesday, May 17
Speech will be at a New Location, the Williamson County Enrichment Center and includes a light Breakfast sponsored by the Franklin Breakfast Rotary
Franklin- Mayor Ken Moore will give his seventh State of the City presentation at the new Williamson County Enrichment Center in Franklin at 110 Everbright Ave. on Wednesday, May 17, at 7:45 a.m. Parking is available in the Williamson County Library Parking lot and across from the Academy Park Gymnasium at 120 Everbright Ave. Doors open at 7:00 a.m.; light breakfast, sponsored by the Franklin Breakfast Rotary, will be provided. City Departments will have tables and booths set up to show off the City’s services and accomplishments in the past year.
The theme of this year’s State of the City is “Making Municipal Magic.” Mayor Moore will discuss the City’s accomplishments in the last year and talk about some projects on the horizon.
“We always try to have fun with our State of the City event and present our accomplishments and goals in an entertaining way,” said Mayor Ken Moore. “I look forward to highlighting those endeavors and talking about the challenges we face as our community grows. We thank the County and the Franklin Breakfast Rotary for partnering with the City, and the community for this event.”
Brentwood Country Club hosts the 14th annual Giving on the Green golf tournament on Monday, May 8, 2017 benefiting High Hopes Development Center. Foursomes will enjoy 18 holes of golf with a noon shotgun start on the lush greens and fairways of BCC. The course will feature food and beverage tents including Buffalo Wings & Rings and a Bloody Mary tent hosted by ImageQuest, among others. Of course, cold brews and carbonated beverages will be available to all golfers as well. The event festivities will conclude with prizes in various categories.
Please visit www.HighHopesForKids.org for more information and to register your foursome. Sponsorships are still available, please contact Deb Enright at denright@highhopesforkids.org or 615.550.1443.