WATSON STRONG: Color Fun Run to help raise money for St. Jude and foundation

VIDALIA, La. — What started as a fundraiser honoring a four-year-old with cancer Watson Calhoun is now a memorial event raising support for other families with children fighting similar battles as Vidalia’s little superhero faced throughout his life.

The first annual Watson Strong Color Fun Run is a 5K walk or run scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, starting across from Vidalia Upper Elementary School and along Concordia Avenue. The deadline to register for the event is Sept. 1. Individual registration is $30 or $125 for a group of five.

Calhoun succumbed to a long battle with brain cancer a month after his fourth birthday, on Sept. 10, 2023.

Submitted photo
Watson Calhoun succumbed to a long battle with brain cancer a month after his fourth birthday, on Sept. 10, 2023. The inaugural Watson Strong Color Fun Run, a memorial 5K fundraising event, is being held in his honor on Sept. 14 in Vidalia, La.

Now, he is “forever 4” and no longer hurting after his health had been a roller coaster ride for most of his life, said fundraiser organizer Katherine Green.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be evenly split between the Watson Strong Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The two-prong approach first supports St. Jude “So families won’t get bills and continue to fund the research there and maybe find a cure,” Green said.

Secondly, the foundation will support other families in similar circumstances and Calhoun’s.

“Even though they don’t receive a bill from St. Jude, they still have other bills. And not everyone makes it to St. Jude and may have other hospital bills. This foundation will support kids from our area.”

Green said she is currently looking at ways to support the family of Lilly-Ann Bryan, a local child who beat cancer but has spent the past 80 days living in ICU at Texas Children’s Hospital awaiting a lung transplant because her lungs were damaged from chemotherapy.

Those who want to support the cause can contribute in several ways.

“We need more event sponsors,” said Green.

There are rewards for different sponsorship levels: $100 for a bronze-level sponsor includes a group social media post and a small logo on a sponsorship banner and business card in the racers’ swag bags; $250 for a silver-level sponsor includes a group social media post, medium-sized logo on a sponsorship banner and business card in the racers’ swag bag, three participants shirts and two yard signs to be placed on the race course; $500 for a gold-level sponsor includes an individual social media post, a large logo on the sponsors banner, business card in the racers’ swag bag, eight race participant t-shirts, and five yard sings on the race course.

Individuals who’d like to support the cause but are unable to participate on race day can Venmo @Watsonstrong. Donations are tax deductible and forms will be mailed or emailed to the sponsor.

Besides a fun race, where participants are splashed with color powder as they walk, run or ride the 5K — approximately three miles — festivities also include live music, food and retail vendors, photo opportunities, activities for children and more. All of these activities are free to attend, Green said. There is also an after party at the Vidalia amphitheater that lasts from noon to 2 p.m. on race day.

Already, there are about 200 participants registered for the first year of this event, Green said.

“We’re on a roll being are first year but I’m also hoping to make it fun so people will come back every year. Our goal is to raise $5,000.”

There are Watson Strong merchandise and T-Shirts available as well, starting at $15.

Prizes will be given out to the first, second and third place racers as well as best dressed adult and child, “So dress up and have fun,” Green said.

Those interested in sponsoring the event or becoming a vendor can email watsonstrong@yahoo.com or contact Green at 601-597-4400.

To register for the event, visit runsignup.com/Race/LA/Vidalia/WatsonStrong5kColorRun .

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