SUWANEE, Ga. - Sept. 16, 2019 - Labor Day is typically a day off work, a chance to sleep in and celebrate those last days of summer - but for CJ Kemp, a 14-year old scout from Troop 1830 of The Suwanee Congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he chose to organize his Eagle project -- a "Labor Day 5K - Race to Benefit the Hungry" in his community.
Over 145 runners participated by donating items to walk or run, which generated over 1,700 items for North Gwinnett Co-op - a 501(c)(3) organization that provides food, clothing, financial assistance and spiritual support to those in need in the Buford, Suwanee, and Sugar Hill communities.
Kemp organized the 5k on Eventbrite and shared it over social media. He also spoke to and handed out flyers to the Big Peach Running Club that meets twice a week at Suwanee Towne Center.
Kemp had scouts from his troop help with registration, put up race signs, time the event and man the checkpoint station where he had water and fruit snacks for the participants.
Faye Pous, a resident from Lilburn, said she saw his 5k shared on the Gwinnett Republicans Facebook page. She drove 30 minutes just to donate her items for what she called "a worthy cause." She also wanted to meet Kemp, shake his hand and tell him what an impactful event he planned.
Two others heard about the race from a Suwanee Mom's Club Facebook page where someone had shared the event through social media.
Kemp was surprised at how quickly the word spread through different social media pages and how many people came out to support the cause who didn't know him personally.
CJ Kemp is currently a Life Scout in Troop 1830 and is a freshman at North Gwinnett HS. "It was an amazing opportunity for me to find a way to help the Co-op," said Kemp. "I was really surprised how many people woke up early on their day off, and came out to support my project. It felt like I really made a difference."
Nearly half of the people North Gwinnett Food Co-op serves are children. The Co-op has a list of immediate needs on their web site, and Kemp used that list as guidance for his participants' donations.
In the North Gwinnett communities of Buford, Sugar Hill and Suwanee - the poverty rate continues to rise in these neighboring communities. Many families are just one life crisis away from being propelled into poverty. Visit https://www.northgwinnettcoop.org to support this worthy cause.
Contact
Corazon Ketchem
