Outlaw Foundation planning fundraiser
By Steve Herring
Published in News on March 16, 2016 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Hundreds are expected to gather at Carver Elementary School at 400 Old Seven Springs Road, Saturday, March 19, to run and raise money for The Outlaw Foundation.
All of the proceeds from the foundation's third annual 5K run/walk will go to provide financial assistance families of cancer patients. The nonprofit foundation's books are open for anyone to look at, he said.
"One thing about our foundation, 100 percent goes to help others," Bill Outlaw said. "Not a dime comes to anyone, not even me. It is all volunteers.
"We help the people. Research is essential, but people need help right now. A lot of people are struggling."
The foundation would not be possible without its many volunteers, and between 40 and 50 will be helping out on Saturday, he said.
Another 250 people are expected to participate in the walk/run on a certified course sanctioned by Run the East.
Registration and packet pickup will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. followed by the opening ceremony.
The 5K will start at 9:30 a.m. and the untimed one-mile at 9:35 a.m.
The pre-registration fee is $25 if paid through today and $30 afterward.
Register online at www.runtheeast.com or print the form at theoutlawfoundation.com.
Entry fees are non-refundable. If the event has to be canceled, refunds will not be given, but race packets will be available for pickup.
Awards will be given to the top three males and females in the following age divisions: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64, 65 and older.
Last year's event netted about $14,000.
For more information, contact Jessica Bryan at jbryan@transmaint.com or call 1-800-334-3452.
Outlaw was diagnosed with leukemia on Memorial Day in 2012. He underwent numerous treatments and has since made a full recovery and biopsies show a full remission.
"For days and nights after my recovery, I prayed to God over and over begging for an answer to why He let me survive this," Outlaw writes on the foundation's website. "I promised whatever He had for me, I would make Him proud and do it to the fullest of my ability, just give me the answer and I will get started."
It was after visiting a friend who had just found out she had the same disease that Outlaw had suffered that he said he was inspired by God to create the foundation.
The foundation has raised more than $300,000 since it was started in January of 2014 and has helped more than 80 families affected by cancer.
After filling out an application and having it verified, a person is given $1,200 in assistance. A second $1,200 can be given the following year.
The Outlaw Foundation helps people from across eastern North Carolina with living expenses such as taxes, car payment, gas and utilities.
"We pay it (bill) directly," Outlaw said. "People do not actually get their hands on the money."
Instead they send the bill to the foundation that in turns pays it and provides a receipt for the person.
Also, gas or Food Lion cards are used, but do not allow for the purchase of tobacco or alcohol products.
The foundation also has ties to Wayne Memorial Hospital, Vidant and UNC Hospitals as well as Southeastern Medical Oncology Center and its Cures for the Colors that can refer people to the foundation.
"It has been really good," Outlaw said. "When my accountant asked me what I expected to raise that first year I said put down $10,000. That first year we raised over $100,000. We needed to grow because more people are aware of it (foundation)."
And it seems that cancer has grown as well, he said.
To learn more about the foundation, or to make a donation, visit the website at www.theoutlawfoundation.com or follow it on Facebook (The Outlaw Foundation).