‘Run With Reason’ raises $25K for Chattanooga Angel Tree

Major Mark Smith (left), Chattanooga area commander, and Kyle Briner at the Angel Tree display in the Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Walmart.

Photo Credit: Makaylah Everett, HHM Certified Public Accountants.

Thanks to Chattanooga Echelon, HHM Certified Public Accountants and their annual “Run With Reason 2020” to benefit The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, 170 children in the Tennessee city will receive their Christmas wishes.

Echelon partnered with HHM to have volunteers run 179 miles for the fundraising event at the Redoubt Soccer Facility on Saturday morning, Nov. 28.

Now in its third year, Run With Reason brought in more than $25,000 – up from $19,500 raised last year, which ensured gifts to 84 youngsters. This year's funds went toward a shopping trip to the Signal Mountain Walmart on Friday, Dec. 4, to fulfill children's Angel Tree wish lists.

Other community partners for the 2020 Run included Telecad Wireless, Stone Bridge Asset Management, Maycreate, ERISA Services, Tandem Financial Partners, Callahan Mechanical, Miller & Martin, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and Taimen Transport.

"With the tornado damages, COVID-19, and unemployment, the need is even greater this year than years past," said Kyle Briner, Echelon member and an HHM senior accountant who has helped lead Run With Reason since its inception.

"Our goal is to provide a joyful environment for the kids and their families on Christmas that might otherwise have been impossible."