Veronica D. Edmonds

Director of Prevention Services, FBHS

 On Saturday, April 19th, Fairfield Behavioral Health Services hosted our 25th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Recovery for Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol. 

  This event was emceed by Executive Director Vernon Kennedy Sr., who did a fantastic job helping spread awareness about the dangers and negative impact of alcohol abuse and underage drinking that can affect the individual, family, and community. 

  Unfortunately, Fairfield County continues to fall on the worst end of the spectrum in the state for alcohol related hospitalizations according to the SC County Level Profile Data provided by DAODAS. In 2024, the profile data report changed from using rankings to prevalence of misuse and its public health impact resulting in a 96.8% increase in DUI Crashes from FY23 to FY24; and a 138.5% increase in DUI Arrests from FY23 to FY24.

  This year, we had 265 registered to support the event (118% of our goal of 225), and the race hosted 193 of those participants, including 30 runners and 163 walkers. The race began with Vernon Kennedy, Sr., Executive Director of Fairfield Behavioral Health Services, and Mayor John McMeekin counting down our runners and walkers to kick off the race shortly after sounding the horn.  Our overall male and female winners for the 3.1-mile run were Eric Rosdail (21:46)  and Hayden Branham (22:25). Overall male and female winners for the 1.8-mile walk were Antario James (not pictured, 24:21) and Vera Williams (24:38). This year, we had a total of 11 teams participate. Bible Light Holiness Church took home 1st Place for the 11th consecutive year with a cash prize of $125, Mt. Olive Baptist Church won 2nd Place with a cash prize of $100, and Richard Winn Academy won 3rd Place with a cash prize of $75. 

Fairfield Behavioral Health Services would like to extend special thanks to everyone who made the event possible this year, including our sponsors, multiple contributors, volunteers, our board members, Mayor John McMeekin, and of course the participants for making this walk a huge success for us and the local community.

Platinum Sponsors: Mlily Healthcare USA, ISOLA USA, Pure Power

Gold Sponsors: Luck Stone, Hawthorne Pharmacy

Silver Sponsors: Allstate: Daniel Conyers, Barn Express Cafeteria, Black Jack Baptist Church, Fairfield Chambers of Commerce, Fairfield County School District, Fairfield Electric, Fairfield Medical Associates, First Citizens Bank, Glenn Associates, Grace Outdoors, Help Yourself Massage, Memorable Mentions, Mid-County Water, Mike Kelly Law Group, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Palmetto Care Connections, Palmetto Funeral Home, Richard Winn Academy, Sun Solutions, Town of Winnsboro, TruVista, Wilson Chevrolet Chrysler 

Contributors & Volunteers: Fairfield Building Supply, Fairfield County Library, Nelson's Funeral Home, Fairfield County Maintenance Department, Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, Peace on Earth, Winnsboro Public Safety, Fairfield County Sheriff's Office, Food Lion of Winnsboro, SC; Fairfield County EMS, Pruitt Health Ridgeway, DAODAS, Sam's Club Fashion Drive, Rich Beauty Fitness, Woodard Enterprises, Shanita Lee, Thomas Qualls, Mandina Kennedy, Willie Benson, Ruby Bell, Whitley Jones, Joe Seibles (Photographer), Mayor John McMeekin, Willie Menia Robinson (FBHS Board Member), 

Eastern Stars Longtown Chapter 190: Catrina Qualls, Bessie Edwards, Gloria Long, Reatha Samuels, Alberta Nelson

  Thanks so much for your continuous support to combat the negative impact that alcohol abuse and underage drinking can have on individuals, families, and the community! You made a difference!

Official race results are posted on www.strictlyrunning.com and will be uploaded to our website at www.farifieldbhs.org soon! Photographs are uploaded to our Facebook page.