By D.E. MESSICK

NEW TROY, Mich. — About eight years ago, the town of New Troy began experiencing a big and potentially traumatic change.

“When a community loses its school, it loses its community,” Terry Hanover, a New Troy resident said.

“The campus had been there for 160 years and to lose it was to lose our soul,” he continued. “And there was an opportunity to save it.”

The community of just 400 residents gathered around the facility to do so and decided to open the New Troy Community Center.

“It has really brought the community back together,” he said.

The community center that developed out of the former school now boasts a wintertime flea market, memorial gardens, outdoor classrooms, trails, playground and recycling program. It hosts history presentations and even has a library of 4,000 books with a free reading hour for kids.

“We’ve done quite well and we’re pretty proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Hanover said.

But the New Troy Community Center is in constant need of funding. Since the center is not funded by tax dollars, they must get all their funds from community support, donations and fundraisers such as the upcoming Run to the Center of the World 5K Run.

This year is the third annual event and will continue to benefit the New Troy Community Center with all proceeds going to the facility that is operated by the non-profit organization, Friends of New Troy.

“This year, it has already proven to grow quite a bit,” Hanover said.

With the support of many local businesses and individuals who have donated their time and effort, the Center of the World 5K Fun Run is proud to announce that for the first time, they will be offering prizes for runners in many different categories including first place overall, best costume, largest team and longest distance traveled. First place medals will be awarded in each age category, and the name and time of first place overall winner will be engraved on a brick to be permanently mounted in the New Troy Community Centers Friends Garden.

There will also be a free breakfast for runners thanks to the many donors from local bakeries, stores and restaurants.

All participants will also receive goodie bags with nutrition foods and helpful items, along with a free t-shirt.

The Run to the Center of the World 5K Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 20. While early registration ended Sept. 4, runners and walkers continue to register until the day of the race for $35. Registration forms may be picked up at the New Troy Community Center or the Center of the World Woodshop in Harbert, or online at www.FriendsofNewTroy/announcements/.

For more information, contact Terry Hanover at (269) 426-4199 or the New Troy Community Center at 269-426-3909.

The New Troy Community Center is located at 13372 California Road, New Troy, Michigan.