Challenge House Movement receives $14,050 donation

The money was raised at the 2020 Hoptown Half Marathon and 5K.

Hopkinsville’s Challenge House Movement received on Tuesday $14,050 from the Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K committee. The money was raised during the second annual road race in 2020.

“During its first two years, the Hoptown Half & 5K has raised over $28,000 for local charities, and looks forward to a repeat performance (or better) in 2021,” organizers said in a news release. 

Registration is open for the third annual Hoptown Half & 5K on Sept. 18. The event will include the Wally’s Walkers One-Miler, which is named for the late Wally Bryan, a former mayor and founder of the Challenge House Movement. A beneficiary for the 2021 event has not yet been selected.

There are seven Challenge Houses in Hopkinsville’s inner-city with a mission to help residents of the neighborhoods with education, employment and life skills. It is a Christian-based organization led by ambassadors who live in the houses. 

Posing for the check presentation are (from left) City of Hopkinsville Marketing Coordinator Chris Jung, Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation Programs Coordinator Toby Hudson, Hoptown Half & 5K Race Director Korey Raymond, Challenge House Board Chair Penny Chewning, Challenge House Executive Director Michelle Wilson and Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tab Brockman. (Photo provided)

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.