By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The annual Ora Jones 5K will be held May 7 in Orr Park. All proceeds will be given in the form of scholarships to Shelby County students through the Ora L. Jones Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Last year, the Ora Jones Foundation gave out $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors. Its total amount granted to students in the past 5 years is $25,000, according to Michael Jones, whose family organizes the event and scholarships.

This year, the school will give out three scholarships at a minimum of $1,000 each. The foundation seeks to continue growing its scholarship fund.

The purpose of the 5K is to honor Jones’s mother, Ora Jones, who died from congestive heart failure in May 2011. She was a native of Montevallo and worked at the University of Montevallo for many years.

She positively impacted and influenced countless individuals. Throughout her life she demonstrated sacrificial service, according to the foundation’s website.

“We have honored her memory by donating … to some deserving high school students,” Michael Jones wrote. “We will also strive to raise an awareness on preventative health measures.”

This year’s run is the third of its kind. There is a $15 race fee for participants. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m.

Orr Park is located at 154 Vine Street in Montevallo.

For more information, visit orajonesfoundation.org.