Run, Ride To Raise Money For DUI/Drug Court

An organization that raises money for the Cherokee County DUI/Drug Court program hopes two events will help them spread their message. 

The second annual Twilight Run F.O.R. Cherokee will take place on Oct. 27 at Hobgood Park in Towne Lake. The 1K fun-run and will will start at 7 p.m. and the 5K will begin at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, a Ride F.O.R. Cherokee and festivities will be held in downtown Canton. Registration for the ride will start at 9:30 a.m. and bikers will begin a scenic tour of the county at 10:30 a.m. Family-friendly activities, including music, food and door prizes, will take place in the downtown area between 11 a.m and 4 p.m. 

Proceeds from both events will go towards the Cherokee Friends of Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the Cherokee County DUI/Drug Court.

Vicki Benefield, treasurer of the foundation, said she hopes the run will raise around $10,000 for the organization. 

"My biggest goal is to increase awareness...of the dangers of drunk driving and driving under the influence," she said. 

Cherokee Friends of Recovery was formed in 2007 and the organization's money is used to pay for initiatives and expenses for the court. 

Formed by retiring Cherokee County Chief State Court Judge C.J. Gober, the DUI/Drug Court gives repeat offenders the opportunity to participate in intensive group and individual counseling in conjunction with judicial support through the use of sanctions and incentives. 

The program is open to repeat DUI offenders who have at least two convictions in the last five years and/or have three or more convictions over their lifetime. 

Earlier this year, plans were started to implement a felony drug accountability court, which would be supervised under the Cherokee County Superior Court.

Benefield said the organization plans to host at least two more fundraisers next year for the drug court program, with one taking place in February and another possibly scheduled for May.

With the holiday season right around the corner, Benefield hopes the organization's message of protecting Cherokee County from impaired drivers will encourage more residents to think before attempting to drive while under the influence. 

"We just want to make sure this stuff isn’t tolerate in Cherokee County," she said. 

See the attached document for more information about the upcoming run. For more information, contact Vicki Benefield at (770) 841-8530.