A springtime staple is poised to continue in Henry County, as local residents put on their running shoes to help families in crisis.

  The ninth annual Haven House Hustle is set for April 13 at the Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland St. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m, and the race will begin at 9 a.m.

  The event is a fundraiser for the Haven House, a local domestic-violence shelter.

  Katie Tucker is the executive director of Haven House, a 48-bed facility that serves both adults and children affected by domestic violence. Tucker said the Hustle is open to the entire community, and that all proceeds from the race will go toward providing services for survivors of domestic violence.

  “We welcome anybody, runners, joggers, walkers – anybody who wants to participate,” she said.

  Tucker said last year’s Haven House Hustle was the “most profitable one by far,” thanks to the ongoing support of residents and businesses in the area.

  “Last year, we had 210 runners, and we raised over $37,000,” said Tucker. “I think we just had more volunteers, and more community involvement. I just think as we continue to do it, the word gets out more.”

  Haven House serves approximately 700 residential clients and about 800 outreach clients each year. Tucker said while those numbers are “pretty impactful,” the coming years could raise such figures even higher.

  “We’ll see that number rise as we see the population rise,” said Tucker. “Unfortunately, that’s just how it is.”   Prizes will be awarded for participants in various age groups, and the top male and female finishers will receive medals at the conclusion of the race. For more information, call 770-954-1008 or visit www.henryhavenhouse.org.