It might resemble a scene from the 1994 American film Forrest Gump, or at least that’s the way Clay Patterson pictures it.
“Everyone has seen the scene in Forrest Gump where he takes off running, and people come out to join him,” said Patterson. “I would love to recreate that.”
There’s a big difference in what Forrest Gump did and what Patterson hopes to accomplish.
Forrest Gump ran and kept running for no reason at all. Patterson, on the other hand, has a purpose.
“The other day a thought crossed my mind . . . I could run and raise money for the uninsured, who could benefit from this,” he explained.
The uninsured Patterson speaks of are those who were in the path of Easter’s deadly tornadoes that ripped through Jones and Jasper counties – those who lost nearly all they own in a matter of seconds and did not have insurance to cover those losses.
“This would be like a walk-a-thon,” said Patterson. “I could just run and ask people to donate.”
Patterson has shared his vision on Facebook for Saturday and allowed people to donate.
“The funds will go directly to the Glory House,” added Patterson.
From the Glory House the funds will go toward those affected by the tornado with no insurance.
“I hope people come out and join me at any point in the route and donate,” Patterson said. “I hope to be in the Laurel area at seven o’clock in the morning.”
Patterson will run a track of 26 miles this Saturday, beginning by Dixie Electric on Highway 184 in the Northeast Jones area and ending in the center of Soso.
“Once I get into Laurel, I will go down 16th Avenue and run to the Shady Grove-Moss Road,” said Patterson. “Once I get to Moss, I’ll cut left and go to Soso. There are no stopwatches, no one timing me, but I hope to be in Soso by noon. Hopefully I and anyone who wants to join me will have a good time.”
There’s a twist to be added that will draw even more attention to Patterson’s cause. The 53-year old marathon runner will be dressed as Captain America.
“I just want to give people hope,” added Patterson. “All the true heroes have died and gone, it seems. When I was growing up, there were superheroes and historical heroes. Now, it’s like the whole world has gone to pot. There appears to be no hope and no patriotism anymore.”
And there’s more in the way of patriotism that Patterson plans to show. “I bought 26 flags, a flag for each mile.”
The American flags will be given to the first 26 people with donations who meet Patterson on his route through Jones County. “I’m asking for donations to be in a sealed in a white envelope.”
Patterson admits that he’s faced negativity in his mind over his plans.
“I’ve been a bit discouraged too,” said Patterson. “I don’t want anyone looking at me and thinking, ‘if that guy wants to help, he should get out there with a chainsaw and get the trees out of my driveway.
“Then I told myself that the only way to avoid any negative feedback or negativity is don’t do anything at all,” he continued. “No matter what you do, you’re going to make someone mad. So, I’m going to help in a way that I can.”
Patterson said he’s honestly had a lot of good feedback. “I’ve had people to volunteer to bring me things along the way, like water.”
Be sure to be on the lookout for Captain America Saturday morning and help Patterson help those affected by the tornadoes who don’t have insurance.