Man's 150 mile run to support NC firefighters comes years after they saved his family's home
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh man embarks on a 150-mile run to honor firefighters and raise funds for the North Carolina Firefighters Fund.
On Friday morning, Jalen Snipes started the longest journey of his life -- a run from Raleigh to Charlotte. His focus is to show appreciation for firefighters, as well as raise awareness and money for a fund that helps firefighters and their families through scholarships, health initiatives and public education.
The run has already raised $10,000, with $5,000 in private donations matched by his employer, The Coley Group.
"The outward support has been absolutely insane," Jalen told ABC11 before he left on Friday. "All the people that showed up, all the people to support it online, it just means the world to me. And like I said, man, the support is going to be energy and we use it as fuel to get me through."
Jalen's personal connection to firefighters runs deep. In 2011, his family's home in Greensboro was struck by lightning during a storm. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control before it destroyed everything. He also has close relatives in the profession.
Raleigh FD Captain Paul Wyatt expressed gratitude, saying, "It is such a thing to be able to reflect on and see the impact that we have had on the community, come back to us."
As he began a grueling journey, Jalen told us it was time to take his mission to the pavement.
"I'm super, super excited to be able to be out here, put our feet on the ground for the North Carolina Firefighters Fund and all the North Carolina firefighters across the state," Snipes said. "Just show them love, and show them love on this pavement."
