West Florida Baptist Association hosts first annual 5K, Funds raised for nonprofit One More Child

The West Florida Baptist Association (WFBA) recently held the first annual 5K run with proceeds going to One More Child.

The 5K fundraiser took the place of the annual Valentine’s banquet whose proceeds went to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home which has since rebranded to One More Child.

The newly branded 501(c)(3) has moved beyond the state of Florida and is now nationwide. Their mission statement says, “We exist to provide Christ-centered services to vulnerable children and struggling families.â€

A 5K was chosen to target young families that use One More Child for foster care and adoption, according to Pastor Caleb Duncan, an Associational Mission Strategist with WFBA.

Forty runners came out and raised more than $1,400 that will go directly to the Chipley office of One More Child. Part of those funds will be used to help families that are trying to become licensed foster care providers.

“We want to help curb the need for foster care in our community,†Duncan said. “Because there are foster kids in the system that need homes.â€

Duncan and wife, Jennifer, are currently fostering three children through a relative placement.

“I have had the opportunity to do different ministry things but this is by far the hardest thing we’ve done. I wanted to do something that would support a worthy cause and One More Child helps foster families in Washington, Holmes and Jackson counties through the Chipley office.â€

Ten local businesses came out to sponsor the run and many others expressed their interest in being involved in next year’s event.

The WFBA is a partnership of 15 churches in the area that want to show love to their community.

“The reason our churches want to love our community is because we see and know the way God has loved us through Jesus Christ,†Duncan said.

To learn more about West Florida Baptist Association and One More Child visit their websites at https://www.westfloridabaptistassociation.com and https://onemorechild.org.

Caleb Duncan is also a weekly faith columnist for the Washington County News and Holmes County Advertiser.