By the BladenOnline team
The Trooper Kevin Conner 5K and 1-mile run, along with the Kevin Conner Memorial Gala, are significant events that honor the life and dedication of Trooper Kevin Conner, who was committed to protecting the community. These events have grown over the years and have become the most prominent organized race in Columbus County.
When discussing the events, one of the event organizers, Emily Dowless, stated in an email, “This past May, we held our inaugural Kevin Conner Memorial Gala, which was also a huge success!”
The next Kevin Conner Memorial Gala is scheduled to take place during Police Week in May 2024. It promises to be a memorable event with live music, food, and a live auction. Go ahead and mark your calendars.
The 2023 Trooper Kevin Conner 5K and 1-mile Run will be held on October 14. You can now sign up to participate in the race and reserve your “race swag.” Sign up or donate at Runsignup.com.
If you want to support this cause, consider sponsoring and/or participating in the event. Sponsoring the event can improve students’ futures in the mentioned counties and throughout North Carolina. The organizers appreciate the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families, and this foundation ensures that the memory of Trooper Kevin Conner, a fallen hero, is kept alive.
The proceeds from both the race and the gala will be used for the Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund. This fund awards three $5,000 scholarships annually: one student from Bladen County, one from Columbus County, and one from the entire state of North Carolina through the Blue Line Scholarship, which is open to direct family members of law enforcement officers. The organizers hope to expand the number of scholarships and the amounts awarded as the foundation grows.
For more information or to submit questions, you can email trooperkcfoundation@gmail.com of visit the Kevin Conner Memorial website at https://kevinconnermemorial.org/contact/. Your support and participation will contribute to these events’ success and their positive impact on the community.
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