It's Time! Register for OLA 5K Mercy Run

Honoring two beloved educators with a 5K, scholarship, and a community shoe drive

Our Lady Academy invites the community to join the annual 5K Run for Mercy and 1-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, September 20, at 8:00 a.m. The event, held at the Washington Street Pavilion in Bay St. Louis, benefits the Mary Alice Benvenutti and Coach Harry Hull Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports current and future OLA students in continuing their Catholic Education.

2024 5K Mercy Run

Named after two cherished members of the OLA family, Mary Alice Benvenutti was a devoted English teacher, and Coach Harry Hull, a legendary Crescent icon.

The 5K race begins at 8:00 a.m., followed immediately by the 1-Mile Fun Run. For those who want to support the cause from home, a special “Stay in Bed” option is available for virtual donations.

In conjunction with the race, OLA will also host its annual Tennis Shoe Drive to benefit the Mercy Cross Center, a day shelter designed to provide basic needs support such as showers, laundry, mail services, clothing, and respite . Community members are encouraged to donate new or gently used athletic shoes of all sizes—men’s, women’s, and children’s. Shoe donation bins are now available at the following locations and will remain open through September 20: Bay St. Louis Library, Holy Trinity Catholic School, Mike Meyers State Farm, Our Lady Academy, Washington Pavillion (day of race) in Bay St. Louis; Kelly Cannon State Farm and Waveland Library in Waveland; Love’s Pharmacy in Diamondhead; Davis Drugs, Stella Maris Gifts in Pass Christian; Elvis Gates State Farm and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Long Beach.

“We are honored to continue this cherished tradition in memory of Mrs. Benvenutti and Coach Hull,” said Leigh Chapman, Assistant Principal of Our Lady Academy. “Their legacies are a testament to the values we strive to uphold in Catholic education—faith, compassion, and service. Through this scholarship, we’re able to extend those values to the next generation of students, ensuring that their impact lives on. We are also excited to reintroduce the tennis shoe drive, which had a remarkable impact last year and allowed us to extend mercy and support to those in need.”

Participants can register online at: www.ourladyacademy.com/5k. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Olivia Alarcon ‘20 at olivia.alarcon@ourladyacademy.com.