During a June planning committee of The Pregnancy Support Center of Southside Virginia to discuss its annual Walk for Life held in October, Jonathan Watson, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox, began thinking of a way he could raise additional funds to help women and their families faced with an unexpected pregnancy.

After a few weeks of consideration, Watson committed to run from Appomattox to Farmville the day before the Walk for Life to raise awareness and generate donations for the center. 

On Oct. 23 Watson left Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox around 6:30 a.m. and finished the 31-mile run to the Pregnancy Center in Farmville around 12:45 p.m. He was greeted by his wife Michelle Watson, his mom, Cindy Watson, and the Pregnancy Support Center staff and other supporters.

Watson recently participated in the Richmond Marathon, The Holiday Lake 5K and the Promise Land 5K. “This was the most challenging yet most rewarding thing I have ever experienced when it comes to running,” he said. “Being by yourself — with the early morning hours being completely dark, the elevation change of Rt. 460 and then the long stretch on the High Bridge Trail, it was difficult to stay focused mentally.  But I knew that people had given money to help impact women, children and families — and that kept me going. If a six-and-a-half-hour run will cause one family to be blessed or one life to be saved, it was all worth it.”

As a result of Watson’s efforts, over $2,000 was raised for the center. Donations can be made to the Pregnancy Support Center on pscfarmville.org