Superhero 5K helps serve Autism community

Your Friendly Neighborhood Superheroes made an appearance at the Superhero 5K last month. The race is a partnership between the Fountain Inn Police Department and The Little White House, and raises funds for organizations associated with Autism.

On a Saturday morning in Fountain Inn, the Avengers assembled.

They weren’t alone. Wonder Woman made an appearance. Batman, Superman, and even Green Lantern came out.

It takes something pretty special to gather all those heroes at once. And they weren’t fighting the latest supervillain. Instead, they were participating in the Superhero 5K, a fun run and walk that donates proceeds to The Little White House, a local non-profit organization dedicated to creating a safe and loving place for children on the autism spectrum to be equipped for day-to-day life.

The race, which started in 2020, is the result of an effort led by Fountain Inn Police Chief Michael Hamilton. Assistant Chief Melissa Woods said the department was looking for a beneficiary for race proceeds.

“This was originally a dream of Chief Hamilton’s”, Woods said. “To have a 5K come here to town. We put a lot of effort into how we wanted it to look and who we wanted to sponsor, and we thought everybody is touched by autism, whether they know somebody, they have met somebody, they work with autism, it’s a huge community and we’re just honored to be able to provide this service for them.”

The Little White House was a natural fit. The organization is an all-encompassing educational center for those with autism, focusing on teaching job skills, life skills, and educational skills. The center works on identifying a passion for each participant, and activities have included archery, axe-throwing, roller skating, kayaking, and zip-lining, in addition to the fun run.

Lu Grant, director of The Little White House, is thrilled at how the run has grown. She’s seen the progress since the beginning, and remembers a directive from Chief Hamilton.

“It actually has grown,” she said. “This race started three years ago in the midst of Covid. It rained Biblically the first run. There were only 110 runners signed up, and only 20 showed up. It grew to about 220, and I think we’re between 280 and 305 this year. It’s just word of mouth, and getting the word out. The Police Department here is so engaging, and I’m so grateful for Chief Hamilton and Assistant Chief Woods for hosting this event. In my first meeting, Chief Hamilton said ‘I want this to be THE Autism race for South Carolina’, and he has challenged me to keep growing it.”

And while participation in the event is growing, so are the benefits to the community. This year, two organizations will benefit from the race proceeds.

“It’s great to have one cause with so many supporters around it,” Grant said. “The proceeds the past two years have gone primarily to my organization, the Little White House, but our mission at the Friends of the Little White House is supporting other non-profits that are getting started up, so we chose his year to help support Platypus Adventures and the Selah Grey Foundation. That’s how we’re growing it, by supporting other local non-profits that are just starting out.”

Platypus Adventures is a non-profit that works to bring inclusion and adaptive opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Their main project is Tri My Best, an adaptive triathlon. They also offer activities like yoga, Zumba, and other small events throughout the year. The group’s Alison McComb said they’re excited that the run will help further their mission.

 “A lot of the athletes that we work with and their families, these kids sit on the sidelines while their brothers and sisters are playing or doing other activities, or these same ones, and they don’t get the opportunity. This is an opportunity for them to do these same activities. Our goal is to get eventually to where they can be included, and everyone together.”

Inclusivity is also one focus of the Selah Grey Foundation. Selah Grey is the name of the daughter of Foundation founder Robyn Smith. She’s five, and she has a rare genetic disorder that causes Autism. Smith said her desire to start the foundation was born out of the realization that not a lot of events exist for autistic children, nor for their parents.

 “It was really important to me to offer a free community event to parents and children with disabilities and special needs as well as the foster care system,” she said. “I realize my daughter doesn’t get to participate in normal activities like everybody else, and a lot of people don’t know how to handle her. I figured I’m not the only parent going through that.”

The mission of the Selah Grey foundation is offering events for parents and children who need them. The response, according to Smith, has been overwhelming.

“But it’s amazing. I never expected an idea to reach this many people, and for people to have such a heart for autism and special needs and foster care. It’s incredible to see the community to come together, especially for an event like this where we only planned on 180 runners and more than 300 people showed up today. It’s incredible to see how much our community cares.”

The community does indeed care. So much so that Woods and the Fountain Inn Police Department already have next year in mind.

“We had to change the route a little bit this year to accommodate the numbers,” she said. “So I think we’ll be able to have 300 or more next year”