Why Lebanon's 'second Saturday in September' draws thousands to remember Sherry Whitaker
A Lebanon woman's legacy will shine bright this weekend when the event that bears her name celebrates its 20th year.
Sherry Whitaker died in 2004 at age 44, 12 months and 12 days after she'd been diagnosed with colon cancer.
About 2,500 participants are expected for Sherry’s 5K Run/Walk, an event that has become a Lebanon tradition on the second Saturday in September. The day was picked to get as close to Sherry Whitaker’s Sept. 12 birthday as possible.
“She had a laugh that was recognizable, and if you were around her, you ended up smiling,” said Sherry’s husband, Gary Whitaker. His wife was known for helping others through Maple Hill Church of Christ. “Sherry was 5-foot tall and 115 pounds, but man, she had a personality.”
The run and walk is the primary fundraiser for Sherry’s Hope, the Christian-based nonprofit that evolved from an event designed to help families affected by cancer, gifting them with financial assistance for a variety of needs to help “lighten the load,” said Gary Whitaker, who retired as an executive vice president from Wilson Bank & Trust last year after more than 26 years of service.
'Truly a gift'
In 2022, Sherry’s Hope provided:
Electric and water bills for 85 families.
Rent and mortgage assistance for 33 families.
Medical bills for 69 families.
Food and groceries for 78 families.
The total number of different families helped last year was 126.
One of those was Josh Dillard's family. He died in October 2022, almost nine years after being diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 36. He left behind a wife and two sons.
Dillard, who worked at Wilson Bank & Trust, is one of the honorees for this year’s run and walk.
“I have no words for how much that meant …” Dillard’s wife, Hope, said of both the financial help and encouragement. “It was truly a gift to us and made our burden lighter.”
Lebanon High student Jayden Bailey, 13, is another honoree for this year’s event. A basketball player, Jayden was diagnosed with a form of cancer called sarcoma after a tumor was discovered in his shoulder.
Jayden is back on the court after 29 weeks of chemotherapy, multiple weeks in the hospital and surgery on his shoulder and arm.
“Getting back to playing basketball and knowing that everyone was there for me…” Jayden said helped him in his battle with cancer. His mom London Elie said it was "truly a blessing to have the extra financial support."
Dallus Whitfield, a longtime photographer for the "Wilson Post" and "Lebanon Democrat," who died in January 2022 from cancer, is also being honored at this year's event.
Sherry’s 5K Run/Walk became a nonprofit in 2008. It was named Sherry’s Hope in 2021.
"I remember hearing the word cancer and how frightening that was," Gary Whitaker said. "Now looking back and 20 years later, I see how one person’s trials can be used to positively affect so many. And when I say one person, it really is a family's trials. What we want to do is just lighten the load."
Local businesses have supported the event throughout the years. Lochinvar recently donated $10,000 as a sponsor, and Buckeye Drugs gave $6,500 to Sherry’s Hope as part of their sponsorship for the 5K.
Wilson Bank & Trust is among several businesses that have donated all 20 years.
Though retired, Gary Whitaker still does some consulting work for the company.
“We have remained committed due to the tremendous impact the nonprofit has made in the lives of many in our Middle Tennessee area,” Wilson Bank & Trust CEO John McDearman said. “Often, events and fundraisers like this struggle to sustain over time, but Sherry’s Hope was well thought out and built to last, if you will. It’s about community.”
To participate, to donate and road closures
A shotgun start is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Sept. 9, and runners will be timed for line up at 7:50 a.m.
The run starts at the intersection of West Main Street and Castle Heights Avenue and is for youth, adults and teams of all levels. Walkers are encouraged.
Portions of West Main, North Castle Heights, Hill, North Greenwood and West Baddour Streets are closed in the area of the course, police said. Lebanon police staff the event with 8-9 officers and 10-12 Community Emergency Response Team volunteers. Most road closures and detours will be in place from 6 a.m. to about 11 a.m. Streets will reopen on a rolling basis.
Pre-registration online is $30 with no timing chip and $40 for chip timing. Both include a t-shirt while supplies last. Preregistration is available through Sept. 8.
Same day registration is $40 with no timing chip and $50 for chip timing with a t-shirt while supplies last. Onlne registration closes at 8 a.m. on Sept. 9.
Those who can’t attend the run/walk can donate as a sleep-in participant for $35 if preregistered or $45 on race day. The fee includes charges to mail a t-shirt after the event as supplies last.
To register visit https://www.sherrysrun.org/5k-run-walk/. Information on Sherry’s Hope is also available by calling 615-925-9932 or emailing info@sherryshope.org.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Sherry's Hope has attracted thousands in Lebanon to fight cancer
