With the weather for Saturday’s Cemetery Race shaping up to be ideal, race organizer Rex Jones says the pieces are falling into place for the event to be an overwhelming success.

“Everybody has been real positive and thankful we’re doing this, said Jones, whose family owns Cougar Oil and organized the event. “Over $30,000 has been pledged so far, but we are working to try to raise more so we can get our first responders as much of the equipment they need as possible.”

Jones said 100 percent of the funds raised would go directly to the purchase of turnout gear for Selma firefighters and for bulletproof vests for Selma police officers.

The idea for the race came to Jones after a young boy was shot on a street in west Selma, and a few weeks later a Selma police officer was ambushed and shot just off Broad Street.

“When that young man was shot we put a message on the sign at Vasser’s that said ‘pray for Selma,’” Jones said. “That message was shared throughout the community and people were looking for a way to help. Then there was a fire locally where a fireman had a problem with having appropriate turnout gear, so the idea came to me that we wanted to do something to raise funds to help solve that problem. And when the officer was shot, we realized we needed to include helping equip them with vests, and the ball really got rolling.”

Jones partnered with the Blackbelt Benefit Group, a local non-profit organization, so donations could be tax deductible.

“It just made it easier and cleaner for people to participate monetarily,” Jones said. “And they are well known in our community for putting on great events, so it was logical to partner with them on this.”

While the event is on its way to being a huge success, Jones said its Selma that made it happen.

“I don’t think you could get this response in other towns. Selma people are close enough with each other that they understand what we’re trying to do and see this as a need for our community,” Jones said. “I don’t think you could get that level of support in other places, but in Selma everybody looks out for each other.”

When the last runner crosses the finish line, Jones said he hopes the race will not only fund the needs of firefighters and police officers, but will be a much needed morale boost for his community.

“I hope the race itself brings all of Selma together, that everyone will come, have a good time with us being able to get this gear for first responders,” Jones said. “They are on the front lines for us everyday and while this will not solve all the problems they have with equipment, it will be a great start in getting what they need to keep them safe while protecting us.”

There will be a 5K and 1-mile fun run with open registration beginning at the Sandbar restaurant at 8 a.m. The race will begin at 9 a.m. Corporate sponsorships are $700 and $250, with individual registration fees of $20. Runners can signup at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Selma/TheCemeteryRun or on the day of the race. Donations can also be made through the website or at the race.