An Orrville native is hoping an upcoming 5K will help the community get into shape.

Cassandra Clifton, who has lived in Orrville all her life, has organized the third annual “Promoting a Healthier You” 1K/5K Walk or Run on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

The event will start at the Orrville Community Center at 9 a.m.

“I had a vision. We live in a rural area down here in Orrville and there are so many unhealthy people,” Clifton said. “There are a lot of people on all different medication for health and illness so I thought if we get together and start this walk, we can get people back in good shape and eliminate some of the medication they are on.”

All the proceeds from the event go toward the tutorial service of the Five Points Community Development Center in Orrville.

Clifton said there are two unpaid instructors at the program, which helps children of all ages.

“Whatever money we raise from this event, it all goes to the tutorial program to help kids from kindergarten to pre-K to the twelfth grade, so it’s a two-fold thing that we have started doing.”

Each year, Clifton said the event has grown.

This year she already has 40 to 45 people registered to take part, and she expects many more still to sign up.

“A lot of people have asked me to do it twice a year because they are coming together with walking and they feel like if they can get out there and walk and if you have somebody beside you, that’s motivation for you,” Clifton said. “It’s a motivational thing also.”

Clifton works at Jackson Hospital as a nurse, so she sees this event as her chance to give back to the community.

“I’ve been here my whole life,” Clifton said of Orrville.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided after the race. To register, call Clifton at (334) 412-4228.

Registration will also be available the day of the race from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  The cost to register is $20.