Moss Point 5K run to honor domestic violence victims

Sonja Wells-Raine M.D. Keener | mkeener@al.com Moss Point, Miss. -- The recent fatal shootings of Sonja Wells-Raine and Amy Prentiss have brought the issue of domestic violence to the forefront in the Jackson County community. Organizers of the Running Under the Oaks 5K Run/Walk say slain Moss Point resident Raine and other victims of domestic violence will be remembered at the event Saturday, Sept. 26. The run starts at 8:00 a.m. at the new welcome center in
Sonja Wells-Raine M.D. Keener | mkeener@al.com   Moss Point, Miss. -- The recent fatal shootings of Sonja Wells-Raine and Amy Prentiss have brought the issue of domestic violence to the forefront in the Jackson County community. Organizers of the Running Under the Oaks 5K Run/Walk say slain Moss Point resident Raine and other victims of domestic violence will be remembered at the event Saturday, Sept. 26.  The run starts at 8:00 a.m. at the new welcome center in
Sonja Wells-Raine
M.D. Keener | mkeener@al.com

Moss Point, Miss. (AP) — The recent fatal shootings of Sonja Wells-Raine and Amy Prentiss have brought the issue of domestic violence to the forefront in the Jackson County community.

Organizers of the Running Under the Oaks 5K Run/Walk say slain Moss Point resident Raine and other victims of domestic violence will be remembered at the event Saturday, Sept. 26.  The run starts at 8:00 a.m. at the new welcome center in downtown Moss Point on the riverfront.

“The registration is $15, and $20 if you want the T-shirt,” said Tracy White, director of New Beginnings Domestic Violence Shelter.

Funds raised at the event will help support services the local nonprofit shelter provides to victims and their families, which includes counseling, resource referrals and other support.

“With a program like New Beginnings, they are able to be more individually geared with a service plan that is based on that individual’s needs,” said Kristie Johnson, who volunteers with community outreach for New Beginnings.  “I think that’s a huge advantage because every victim is different.  They are all experiencing the same crisis, but they all have different resources and different needs. We want to be able to meet the needs of each woman individually.  We don’t want to give her a package deal.”

Johnson says she knows firsthand the effects of domestic violence.  She was a victim herself in the 1970s and prides herself on helping women who are in similar situations.

“It’s a new generation, but the problem can lead to the same result.  Women can get killed,” she said.  “We want to remember that victims come from every walk of life, and just because you are talented or intelligent, or have a good job, does not mean this can’t happen to you.  We need the shelter. We need support services to be available, and women need to feel free to reach out and ask for help based on what they need.”

The 5K run will be held in honor of Raine, who was fatally shot by her husband inside the WIC office in Pascagoula. She was the manager at the office.  He then turned the gun on himself and later died.

Organizers say they want the community to remember Sonja Wells-Raine and other victims.  They hope the event brings about awareness and rallies the community to speak out about domestic violence.