RHEA COUNTY — When Amanda Neal Harwood lost her sister-in-law, Amber Lane Neal, in a car accident in 2019, she knew two things: She wanted to find a way to honor her late sister-in-law’s memory and find a way to give back to the Rhea County community.
“She was always doing things for others,” Harwood said. “Her unexpected departure occurred just days before I was scheduled to run the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon.”
Every year since her sister-in-law’s passing, Harwood has ran the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon in her sister-in-law’s honor, but this year, on Saturday, Sept. 7 — the day of the race — Harwood will also be running to raise funds for the Rhea County Boys & Girls Club. With an original goal of $1,250, Harwood said that as of Wednesday afternoon, she has exceeded that goal and raised $1,267.
“I was inspired by the new Boys & Girls Club here in Rhea County, and I decided I wanted to make that my organization (that I fundraise for],” Harwood said.
On Saturday, Harwood will take her love of both her family and running to Sevier County, Tenn., and compete in the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon.
“Despite the immense grief and subsequent challenges of COVID-19 and the loss of my father, running emerged as my sanctuary and coping mechanism during a tumultuous year,” Harwood said. “As I pounded the pavement, I found solace and strength in the words of Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
“Completing the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon in 2020, and subsequently the Black Bear Double 16.2 miles for the past three years, became not only a tribute to Amber’s memory but also a testament to the resilience and unwavering faith that sustained me through adversity.”
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Harwood’s sister-in-law’s passing, and once again, Harwood will be running in her sister-in-law’s memory.
“Yet, I feel compelled to embark on a more significant endeavor — one that honors her love for our community and her passion for supporting children,” Harwood said. “In alignment with the spirit of Philippians 1:6, ‘being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,’ I am resolved to run the race set before me and raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Rhea County.”
Earlier this year, the Rhea County Boys & Girls Club opened and soon set attendance records among other clubs in the region. Rhea County Boys & Girls Club Unit Director Nicki Bentley said that it is the support of community, and people like Harwood, that have allowed the local club to grow and succeed in a relatively short amount of time.
“The community has really stepped up for our local children in a big way by supporting the club,” Bentley said. “We want to thank Amanda (Harwood], and also her running partner, Stacey Swafford, for their support of these children. Everyone at the club, staff and kids included, wish them both the best of luck on Saturday.”
Harwood said that donations are still being accepted until Saturday, and those interested can donate at www.runsignup.com/bgcor.
“I invite you to join me in this meaningful endeavor by supporting my fundraising efforts for the Boys & Girls Club,” Harwood said. “Your contribution, regardless of size, will make a tangible difference in the lives of our community’s youth, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed.”
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