VALLEY — At a kickoff event held Tuesday evening at Valley Haven School, the chairpersons were named for the 2018 Hike/Bike/Run fundraiser for the school.

The Hike/Bike/Run has taken place every year since 1977, and is the largest annual fundraiser for the school. The annual goal is $100,000, an amount that’s been easily exceeded for almost 30 years now.

West Point attorney Don Cleveland will be serving as the overall chairman for this year’s Hike/Bike/Run. He’s been active in the fundraiser for 36 years and has been the overall chairman for 24 years. He has practiced law in Chambers, Troup and Harris counties for more than 40 years.

This year’s Hike/Bike/Run will be taking place on Saturday, May 5. Several hundred participants are expected to ride a trike, bowl, walk, ride a bike or run to raise funds toward the $100,000 goal. All funds will be used as the local matching share for the state and federal grants that fund Valley Haven.

Assisting Cleveland as chairpersons for the 2018 Hike/Bike/Run are Janice Avery, J.T. Barker, Lessie Beck, Tommy Benton, Richard Bolt, Sam Bradford, Craig Brown, Ella Burton, Tammy Carroll, Heather Coker, Cindy Daniel, Mary Ann Davis, Pete Davidson, Lynn Duncan, Probate Judge Brandi Easlick, Tony Edmondson, Shelby Flakes, Paula Frazier, Sherry Grady, Diane Greene, Hannah Hall, Mary Hamilton, Diane Harris, Essie Mae Harris, Rachel Harris, Lawrence Henry, Dr. Kelli Hodge, Genie Ingram, Ruth Johnson, Brenda Jones, Debbie Kelley, Eddie Lanier, Hattie Lett, Mary Lett, Sheriff Sid Lockhart, Liz Magby, Chris Miller, China Morgan, Janet Moore, Lynn Oliver, Karen Poer, Anne Ponder, Tony Powers, Tim Reed, June Rogers, Peggy Smith, Jennifer Tidwell, Freddie Trammell, Lisa Turner, Sandra Turner, Lisa Walton, Valerie Washington, Macy Whorton, Jo Ellen Weldon, Chief Tommy Weldon, Irmgard Westfall and Tricia Williams.

“The concept of Hike/Bike/Run is simple,” said Craig Brown, director of Valley Haven School. “Participants hike, bike and run over designated routes for pledges. Prizes are awarded in several categories. All participants who have $50 or more in pledges will receive one of the great, new Hike/Bike/Run t-shirts.”

Events preceding the May 5 Hike/Bike/Run will be Casual Days on Thursdays in April. the LaFayette Day Car Show and Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, April 14; the Sheriff’s Call-In Day on Sunday, April 22nd from WCJM/100.9; the Hike/Bike/Run Auction on Friday, April 27, the Valley Bowl Tournament on Tuesday, May 1, Bingo for Valley Haven on Thursday, May 3, and the Peach Walk on Friday, May 4.

“The Hike/Bike/Run gives the residents of this area an opportunity to help support Valley Haven School, our area school for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Cleveland. “We are gratified and grateful for the continued support and growth of the Hike/Bike/Run. For the last 29 years, the Hike/Bike/Run has raised over $100,000 each year. We plan to do it again this year. I am proud to help Valley Haven provide this valuable service for our community. I would like to call on everyone to join me and participate in the Hike/Bike/Run. It is something that anyone of any age can take part in.”

New Hike/Bike/Run forms have been mailed to last year’s participants. “Anyone who has yet to receive a form, please call us at the school and we will send one to you,” Brown said.

For more information, call (334) 756-2868 or (334) 756-7801 during the school day.