Troy Junior Women’s League Memorial Run tops $8,000

The Brittany Shepard Pugh Memorial 5K Run and Shep Sprint Saturday raised $8,000 for the Troy Junior Women’s League scholarship program and community service projects.

Kristy Jones, event co-chair, said more than 160 runners participated in the 5K run and another 100 participated in the One-Mile, Fun-Run and the Shep Sprint.

The memorial run was the second annual for the Troy Junior Women’s League and was held in memory of Brittany Shepard Pugh and her son, Shep.

“Brittany was an active member of the Troy Junior Women’s League,’ Jones said. “Through her willingness to serve others in all areas of her life, she epitomized our club theme, which is ‘To do for the world more than the world does for you.’

“We have chosen to remember Brittany and her giving spirit by naming this fundraiser after her and Shep.”

Jones said that the TJWL members are excited and pleased with the number of participants and the amount of money raised for the League’s projects.

“We thank everyone who made the Brittany Shepard Pugh Memorial 5K Run and Shep Sprint a great success.”

Jones said the funds raised from the 5K are used, primarily to fund the TJWL’s scholarship program, which has been renamed the Brittany Shepard Pugh Memorial Scholarship.

“In the past, we awarded one scholarship each year but, because the 5K was such a success last year, we were able to award two $1,500 scholarships,” Jones said. “Some of the money will be used to build the scholarship fund so that there will be always be funds available.”

The Brittany Shepard Pugh Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating female senior at a school(s) in Pike County who will attend a college or university within the state. The scholarship award is based on an essay, academics, leadership and community service.

The TJWL supports many charitable organizations in Troy and Pike County including the Miracle Field project.

“This year, we probably will transition our support to the Miracle Field Playground,” Jones said. “The TJWL also supports that Child Advocacy Center, the Troy Public Library and Sav-A-Life. We have a canned food drive for a local food bank and are buddies at Miracle Field ballgames. We meet at the beginning of each year and discuss what organizations and projects we will support during the year. Community service is what we do.”