earlier as close friends begged on social media for an organ donor for their son , chose to donate Allie ’ s organs following the accident . Both kidneys were able to go to donors .
“ Strangely enough , they both went to adults . You would think they would go to kids , but kidneys grow ,” Leslie said . “ One went to a dad in the Delta , and one went to a grandmother in Florida .”
The Carruths , who are helped with the festival by their son William , said they have been surprised by how much the Allie Cat Run and Festival has grown since its first year in 2018 .
“ I don ’ t think we ever thought it would grow to this ,” Bill said . “ My fear was always that after the first year , participation was going to drop off , but it has actually grown every year which has been really surprising to me .”
More than 600 runners and walkers signed up for the 2023 race , which turned out to be on a beautiful spring day and drew hundreds more people to the festival .
Altogether , last year ’ s festival raised a little more than $ 100,000 , twice as much as the first festival , Leslie said , with the total amount raised over the past six years at more than $ 400,000 . The Community Foundation of East Mississippi oversees the awarding of grants from the festival donations to chari ties in the community selected by the festival board .
“ Originally we were raising money for MORA , Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency , but then it grew , and we could give back to the community ,” Leslie said . “ The community gives so much to us and has been so supportive of our family , so this is a
Seventh Annual Allie Cat Run & Festival
Date : Saturday , March 23 Race time : Cost : T-shirt :
9 a . m . 5k Run & Walk with Kids Fun Run immediately following $ 25 5k Run and Walk $ 15 Kids Fun Run First 400 registered participants will be receive an Allie Cat T-shirt
Registration : https :// time2run . raceentry . com / allie-cat-run-andfestival / race-information
Ceremony : Donate Life ceremony starting around 10:30 a . m . Special guest artist Gary Chapman , whose daughter was an organ recipient Armbands : $ 15 for access to inflatables for children Tickets :
$ 1 each for petting zoo , pony rides , face painting and children ’ s games and activities
Live Music : Jonathan Quigley and My Savior Story Tyler Sellers
way that we can give back to those who need it .”
MORA , as well as a $ 5,000 scholarship for a Lauderdale County senior and Meridian Community College nursing scholarships , are among the annual recipients from the festival ’ s fundraising . ( Bill was in his first year of nursing school at MCC in 2017 .) The remaining money goes to a wide selection of nonprofit and community organizations that apply for the grants . Past recipients have included the Meridian Museum of Art , Habitat for Humanity , Wesley House , Hope Village for Children , Illuminations Center for Dyslexia , among numerous others .
Leslie , an art teacher at Lamar School , said they have a devoted and dedicated group of volunteers who assist them
Face painting is always a favorite activity for many of the children who attend the Allie Cat Run and Festival .
in organizing and putting on the festival each year .
“ We have an amazing group of family and friends who help with the festival . Kudos to them because they are great . They help with sponsorships . They help put up posters . They help pick up day-of raffle prizes . They work the entire day …. I don ’ t think they realize just how amazing they are . It couldn ’ t be done without them ,” she said .
Leslie also gave credit to the Meridian Police Department and the City of Meridian for being great to work with over the years . MPD leads the 5K race and walk , and city officials have helped promote the event and always make sure organizers have everything they need to set up .
The Carruths had thought about not holding the Allie Cat Run and Festival this spring since it is son William ’ s senior year of high school .
“ We thought of not doing it this year because William is a senior and we wanted to focus on him . I didn ’ t want the spring to be consumed with the festival . I wanted it to be about William ,” Leslie said . “ But William was , ‘ Oh no , no no ! We ’ re doing it .” M www . meridianstar . com
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