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Sextus Shannon, a Plantersville alderman, is in his 21st year of coordinating the St. Jude Bike-A-Thon. It will be held at the Plantersville Community Center on May 15. Last year the event raised $2,100.
“This is a great event and it’s for a great cause,” said Shannon. “Those families who have to use St. Jude really need us and there is no way that I’m not going to at least try to help.”
St. Jude spokeswoman Nora Howerton said events like this are how the hospital survives.
“Every donation we take in makes a huge difference,” she said. “So we are very appreciative to all the communities that help to raise money. It takes $1.6 million a day to keep our doors open. We take care of children from all over the world and we never ask the families for any money.”
Shannon hopes to raise $3,000 this year. That amount will help to pay for three days of chemotherapy and a blood transfusion for one child, according to Howerton.
Anyone who has a bike can sign up at Plantersville Town Hall. For more information, call (662) 844-2012.
Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@journalinc.com.