A mother had plenty of support from her children while competing in a 5K benefit run held Saturday at Limestone College. Limestone College students raised more than $2,700 Saturday at a benefit run for Cherokee County First Steps.

A total of 79 runners participated in 5K and 1-mile runs organized by the Limestone College Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC).

Profits from the event will support early childhood programs operated by First Steps to help prepare preschool children for the first grade.

Gaffney residents Dino Montagna and Jordan Ruppe won the 5K and 1-mile races, respectively. Runners started at the college's tennis center and ran a route through the historic Gaffney downtown area.

Montagna won the 5K race with a time of 17:07. Ruppe, 10, won the 1-mile race with a time of 8:12.

SALC advisor K.C. Barnhill said the student organization was overwhelmed by the community's response to the benefit run.

"The Student Alumni Leadership Council's fundraising goal was to raise $750 for Cherokee County First Steps this year," said Barnhill, director of alumni and parent programs at Limestone College. "With the community's help, we were able to raise $2,727. First Steps will be able to put these funds to mobilize resources beyond state-allocated dollars."

First Steps will use profits from the benefit run to provide training and professional development programs for local child care providers.

The Limestone College run is the first fundraiser organized by an outside organization to directly benefit Cherokee County First Steps. The nonprofit organization has traditionally relied on state funding and donated services from local businesses to operate.

"We want this run to become an annual event that people will look forward to every year," Barnhill said. "The students did a tremendous job organizing the race. We want to thank the wonderful sponsors, participants, staff and volunteers who helped make this event a success."

If you would like to donate to Cherokee County First Steps, please contact director Dorothy Priester at 487- 9466; or e-mail cc1ststeps@yahoo.com.