This Saturday, approximately 750 runners will hit the pavement for a good cause! The Hope-Hill Elementary Foundation is hosting the first annual Old Fourth Ward 5K benefitting Hope-Hill Elementary, one of two public schools serving the children of Old Fourth Ward (O4W), on June 18. This is the first and only road race run entirely through the O4W, a revitalizing neighborhood near the Atlanta BeltLine, and all proceeds will go directly toward supporting the school.   

Many of Atlanta’s leading tech and digital firms including Google Fiber, MailChimp and Nebo, were eager to get involved and help sponsor the event.   

“It’s great to see people coming together to support Hope-Hill Elementary,” said Adam Harrell, Co-Founder at Nebo and Executive Director of Startup Atlanta. “New companies and residents are putting down roots in the Old Fourth Ward, and this 5K helps create a stronger sense of community between residents, both new and old. It's a way to support a school that's at the heart of this community, and we're proud to be a part of it.”  

In addition, several influential Atlanta officials, including City Councilman Kwanza Hall, are excited to stand behind the benefit, recognizing that the kids at schools like Hope-Hill Elementary are the future of the city.  

“Empowering the bright minds in our schools is one of the most important things we can do as a community,” said Hall, who represents the area on the Atlanta City Council. “Over the past few years, we have seen a resurgence of local support and creative initiatives lifting up the students and families of the Old Fourth Ward. I can’t thank the Hope-Hill Elementary Foundation enough for being the driving force behind this inspiring new event.”  

Hope-Hill educates students from Pre-K through 5th grade. More than 90 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced school lunches, and more than 10 percent of the children at Hope-Hill are homeless. The Hope-Hill family also includes children living in the Bedford Pines neighborhood, the largest concentration of poverty in the Southeastern U.S.   

“For these children and this school, a little goes a long way,” said Billy Hungeling, President of Hope-Hill Elementary Foundation. “We’re overwhelmed and thankful for the tremendous response we’ve received from supporters, participants and leading Atlanta-based businesses. We hope to make this 5K an annual charity race with continued involvement from the local community.”  

The racecourse begins and ends across the street from Ponce City Market on North Ave., by the Masquerade and the Old Fourth Ward Park. It is also a Peachtree Qualifier and USATF Certified.  

About Hope-Hill Foundation:

The Hope-Hill Elementary Foundation is a section 501(c)(3) organization exclusively supporting Hope-Hill Elementary School, the traditional public school serving the children of the Old Fourth Ward. The foundation was organized in 2014 by a group of neighborhood parents and community leaders to provide financial and human resources to Hope-Hill Elementary School, including after-school tutorials, teacher allotments, teacher grants and technology. To learn more or donate, please visit http://www.hopehillfoundation.org.