A talented teenager from Diamond Bar is running a 5K every day for month, to raise money for a local food bank.
She's our KNX Hero of the Week, and she's encouraging others to race along with her.
Running has become a way of life for 14 year-old L'Mio Edwards. "Yeah, I've been running since third grade!"
L'Mio is currently ranked 5th in the nation for teens her age in the 4-K, according to https://www.athletic.net/.
"It's pretty cool! It got really competitive around sixth grade, it just kind of kicked in."
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(Photos courtesy of Smotherman Images)
L'Mio and her family have spent the last few months, like most us, adjusting to stay-at-home orders. But training has not stopped. About a month ago, L'Mio and her dad, Deon, came up with a idea to raise money for a local food bank called New Earth. It provides meals for those in need during the pandemic.
"We decided to think of a creative way to that would attract people's attention... to get donations," explains L'Mio. "And we made a deal, too, that every 5K I do, he would have to walk a 1K."
So, every evening for thirty days, L'Mio is running 5 kilometers through her neighborhood. Her dad is there every single stride, driving along next to her.
But it hasn't been easy.
Deon explains that the cops have showed up several times, because of concerned neighbors and passers-by.
"She is of mixed ethnicity. She's half Japanese and half Black," says Deon. "Sometimes people jog now-a-days days, and they wind-up dead or missing. So, I have multiple reasons for making sure that people understand that I'm her dad. This is my child, and I'll drive next to her to make sure she's okay."
Deon says he's now developed a special relationship with local law enforcement, who support what the two are doing.
As L'Mio wraps up her "5KaDay4Food" 30-day challenge, she wants to inspire others to run along with her.
"You're feeding a whole other family!" she exclaims. "It's a pretty cool experience. Just doing something small, helps somebody else out there that you don't even know!"
So far, L'Mio Edwards has raised over $5,000, and that is why she's our KNX Hero of the Week!
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes!
If you'd like to know more about L'Mio and her "5KaDay4Food" challenge, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/5kaday4food
You can also nominate your own hero at https://knx1070.radio.com/nominate
