The final tally is in: The 12-hour Chief Greg Graham Legacy Walk at Zone Health & Fitness ended Thursday night with organizers announcing that the first-time event had raised $150,000.
The money will support the amnesty program at Beacon Point and the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, two entities that were special to Graham, the late Ocala police chief.
Inside the gym, Graham s friends and families, including widow Amy and her children, hit the treadmills in memory of Graham, who was a regular at the Zone, 524 S. Pine Ave. The gym is right next door to the Ocala Police Department.
At 6:30 p.m., the group went outside and stood in the parking lot that had two fire trucks hoisting a large U.S. flag. Onstage, Ocala police Capt. Dustin Keuntjes announced the total collected and thanked donors.
Ocala Star-Banner staff report
This is the Star-Banner s weekly listing of fundraisers. To have your information included, send an email to calendar@starbanner.com and write Causes in the subject line.
The 43rd annual Ocala Reindeer Run: This event, which will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, will be all-virtual this year because of COVID-19. Register before Dec. 31 at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Ocala/OcalaReindeerRun. Run a 5k at the location of your choice and post your time at https://runsignup.com/ocalareindeerrun.
Second annual Olaf s Chili Challenge: This event will be held noon-4:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Highland Memorial Park, 1513 NE Third St., Ocala. Free admission; $5 for chili tasting. Proceeds benefit Sheltering Hands, whose mission is improving the lives of cats through humane care, spay/neuter, adoptions, education and support services.