The 3rd Annual MOO-VE IT 5K, sponsored by Cowford Chophouse, raised nearly $11,500 to benefit the Justice Coalition, a nonprofit which advocates on behalf of innocent victims of violent crime in Northeast Florida.
This year’s race was held in memory of Michael Liles, former executive director of the Justice Coalition. The funds raised will support the organization’s newspaper, The Victims’ Advocate. Liles’ wife, Deborah, was a victim of homicide in their home in 2017. She was a music teacher at San Jose Elementary School.
“This generous donation from Cowford Chophouse will help us continue to publish the Victims’ Advocate, providing a platform to engage with victims of violent crime and provide them with a community of support,” said Robert Bracewell, chair of the Justice Coalition. “We are incredibly grateful for Cowford’s support, as well as the support of the entire community, that honors Michael’s vision and passion to help victims of crime and make our communities safer.”
The 2019 MOO-VE IT 5K raised record-breaking funds, bringing the total that Cowford has donated back to the community through the race to more than $23,000 since 2017. Cowford raised $4,000 to benefit the North Florida School of Special Education’s physical education department and running team in 2017. In 2018, Cowford raised $8,000 for the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, an organization that engages communities, organizations and individuals to advance the rights of girls and young women, especially those in the justice system.
“Our annual MOO-VE IT 5K is one of the ways we work with organizations in Northeast Florida to uplift our community,” said Cowford Chophouse owner Jacques Klempf. “It is amazing to see this event continue to grow year after year, and we are humbled and thrilled by the more than 400 community members who participated this March. This year’s donation is one that is near to our hearts at Cowford, and we are proud to support the work of Michael Liles and the Justice Coalition.”
The 2020 MOO-VE IT 5K will be held on February 29, 2020. Details regarding the fourth annual race will be released later this year.
