By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The Garage Barrage won't be the only event taking place in downtown Niles on Saturday, there is also a 5K race/walk scholarship fundraiser happening in Riverfront Park.
The fundraiser, which is being sponsored by a non-profit organization called Isaac Dora Davis Family Reunion, Inc., is designed to raise money for a scholarship fund to benefit Niles and Brandywine students.
To go along with the race, there will be fun events like arts and crafts, an interactive Tai Chi demonstration, a cake and cookie walk, karaoke and concession stands.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the Riverfront Park amphitheater with the run/walk to begin at 10 a.m.
The race/walk, which is approximately 3.1 miles, will go from one end of Riverfront Park to the other end and then back to the starting point.
Davis Austin, whose family has been in Niles since 1928, said the idea for the non-profit organization started five years ago at a family reunion.
Having deep roots in Niles, the grandchildren of Isaac and Dora Davis and the children of Elisha and Nann Davis wanted to do something that would benefit the community in honor of the family.
Through fundraisers like an annual car wash at Pete's Marathon station in August, a Super Bowl party and this year's first ever 5K race, the organization has been providing one student from Niles or Brandywine schools with a $500 scholarship.
Davis Austin said the organization would eventually like to offer $1,000 scholarships to Niles and Brandywine students.
She is pleased with the amount of community support she has recieved regarding the event thus far.
The event will take place rain or shine. For more information, call Evelyn Davis Fleming at (269)684-8126 or Emily Davis Austin at (269)684-1634.