The loss of a child causes grief that lasts a lifetime. Wendy Medina, founder of A Hug From Above, learned about that kind of loss after her infant son, Jaxon, died unexpectedly six years ago.
In an effort to turn something negative into a positive, Medina started A Hug From a Above to create a network of families suffering similar losses. The purpose of the organization is for the grieving parents and other family members to lift up and support each other. Last year was the inaugural 5K run, which raised money to create quilts for each set of parents. The name of their child was embroidered onto their quilt.
This year, the fundraiser will help the organization raise money for an embroidery machine so the quilt project can continue.
“We have a lot of local churches who make the quilts for us. We need the embroidery machine to put all of the names on the quilts before they are given to the parents,” Medina said.
The 5K Run/Walk costs $20 per person and $25 for vendors. The walk/run will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, in the parking lot of El Burrito Restaurant in Liberty, 2400 Main St. The route will take Hillside Drive before looping back to the restaurant.
More participants are needed to make the event a success, so anyone with an interest is asked to go online to http://www.ahugfromabove.org and fill out the registration form. Participants may also register on the day of the event, but advance registration is encouraged so organizers can have enough swag bags and food available.
Medina is the manager of El Burrito restaurants in Liberty and Cleveland and has arranged for all participants to enjoy street tacos after the run/walk.