The Amelia’s Voice annual AW5K race takes place on Saturday, Oct. 31. Register online or day-of starting at 9 a.m. The race launches at 10 a.m. from the Oxford High School. Picture of previous race. (Submitted photo)

OXFORD — Amelia's Voice will hold its annual Amelia's Voice 5K (AW5K) race this Saturday, Oct. 31. The nonprofit's largest event of the year brings the community together at Oxford High School for a morning of remembrance and action against domestic violence.

Amelia Wakefield was 16 when she was killed by her boyfriend in 2019 in an act of domestic violence. In response to the tragedy, Amelia's Voice was founded by her family to raise awareness of domestic violence and support survivors.

The AW5K is held annually to ensure “Amelia's voice continues to be heard.”

Race-day registration opens at 9 a.m., followed by a $5,000 check presentation to the Help Restore Hope Center between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m.

The professionally timed 5K race then begins with a horn at 10 a.m. The course follows a loop through the village of Oxford, starting and ending at the high school.

The route includes South Washington Avenue, Chenango Street, Scott Street, State Street, Grays Heights Road, Park Street, Alice Street, and then back to the school. Prospective runners or walkers can also register online at runsignup.com/Race/NY/Oxford/AmeliaSVoiceAW5K or by scanning the QR code on the flier. The registration fee of $30 includes a T-shirt and swag bag.

“We just want to just bring awareness that there are resources out there and this can happen to any family,” said Tami Tompkins-Menard, president of Amelia's Voice and Amelia's grandmother. “We never thought this would happen to our family, you know. So, just be aware, pay attention, if you see signs or something. Just ask how you can help,” she added.

This year's AW5K will include a public presentation of a $5,000 donation to Help Restore Hope Center, the designated domestic violence support provider for Chenango County. The organization operates the county's only domestic violence shelter through Liberty Resources. Last year, Amelia's Voice donated $10,000 to the organization on the anniversary of Amelia's death.

Rachel Davies, divisional director overseeing Help Restore Hope in Chenango and Madison counties, said that these funds are utilized directly for meeting clients' needs. She explained that donations support “anything that allows them to be free from violence or harm.” She noted that it ranges from things like basic needs and transportation assistance to legal fees.

Davies believes that services for domestic violence survivors grow when communities talk openly about the issue, noting that Amelia's Voice has become a powerful partner in raising awareness regionally. “It's wonderful because it shows the impact of people coming together to have their voices heard a little bit louder,” she said.

Help Restore Hope offers both shelter and a multitude of advocacy services for domestic violence survivors and those currently experiencing a relationship involving domestic violence.

An advocate can always be reached for support on its 24/7 hotline at 1-855-966-9723. Support is also available at its Norwich office.

Davies emphasized that people do not need to leave their relationship to receive help. She encourages anyone who is in a place where they need help, support, or hope to understand what the options are to reach out to the hotline and discuss those things with an advocate.

“There's no expectation that you need to be leaving in order to receive services from Help Restore Hope,” she said. “Our advocates are trained to meet you where you're at, and I hope that that's comforting to individuals to know that they don't have to make any particular choice right now.”

Tompkins-Menard said that Chenango County had lacked a domestic violence shelter for years, and that Amelia's Voice feels comfortable giving to Help Restore Hope, whose mission closely aligns with its own. They've also filled a gap she believes may have affected Amelia's ability to seek help.

“To keep the domestic violence awareness in the forefront for the county because we were without a shelter for so long,” said Tompkins-Menard. “I really think that would have helped our granddaughter if we had something,” she added.

Held in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the AW5K is Amelia's Voice's biggest event of the year, and the organization has been holding it since 2019. This year, organizers are scheduling it on Halloween to add a bit of fun. The event will include a costume contest with prizes for scariest, funniest, and most original outfits.

The race is professionally timed, and medals will be awarded. Amelia's Voice awards medals to the top three men, women, teen boys, and teen girls, along with a special award for the last finisher called “fashionably late” in a nod to Amelia's personality.

“We always give a medal that says fashionably late because my granddaughter Amelia was fashionably late to everything. So it's kind of in her honor for last place,” said Tompkins-Menard, noting that Amelia also enjoyed long-distance running and 5Ks.

Amelia's Voice would like to recognize the many community sponsors and partners who make the AW5K possible, including the following: patron sponsors Oxford Motors and Matthew's Auto; bronze sponsors Blue Oc, Oliver's Campers, and Preferred Mutual; gold sponsor NYCM; silver sponsors Raymond Corporation, NBT Bank and Captured by Caitlyn; platinum sponsor Mirabito #MirabitoCares; Live Event NY for hosting and serving as emcee; The Trophy Guy for donating the medals; the Oxford Fire and Police Departments for traffic control; the Oxford High School; and corporate sponsor Stewart's Shops for providing beverages and doughnuts.

With the AW5K, Amelia's family hopes to keep Amelia's memory alive while helping others find safety. Amelia's Voice also maintains a scholarship fund for local students.

For more information or to donate, visit the Amelia's Voice website at ameliasvoice.com. Donations can also be made directly at NBT Bank, which Amelia's Voice is affiliated with.