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The Griggs Hampton Memorial Fun Run will raise funds for the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, just as Hampton did during his lifetime. In this portrait, Hampton smiles with an award from Bowman Gray Stadium. Entering a contest, friends Donna Brinegar and Robert Eaton submitted an article praising Hampton's humanitarian efforts. The essay was titled "Hometown Hero," giving Hampton a moniker still used today.
This spring, Mount Airy will honor its "hometown hero" by walking the same path he did, literally and metaphorically.
The Griggs Hampton Memorial Fun Run will raise money for the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, just as Hampton did during his lifetime.
By age 62, Hampton had raised more than $100,000 for the two organizations. Each weekday, he walked from the Mount Airy Country Club to Donna's Barber Shop, collecting money along the way for them.
"Griggs was a special person," said best friend Donna Brinegar. "People just responded to him so well that he didn't even have to ask for money. He would just walk in, and people would say, 'How much money do you want, Griggs?'
"He always wanted to help others. I think that's why people wanted to help him."
Early last year, Brinegar noticed subtle changes in Hampton's genial behavior. With medical examinations, doctors discovered Hampton had a brain tumor. Hampton underwent surgery, followed by several chemotherapy treatments. But even in the hospital, he thought of other people more than himself. Hampton collected at least $100 from doctors and nurses, for the organizations.
After his battle with illness, Hampton died last December, leaving behind a legacy of generosity as well as a selfless example for the town to follow.
To honor Griggs, Brinegar established the fun run this year, hoping it will become an annual event. Admission is free, with monetary donations being requested.
"I just feel like this would be a good thing, because this is what Griggs did," said Brinegar. "He had his own schedule; he had a pattern he walked. We're going to go by that pattern as best we can."
Unfortunately, safety concerns will not allow the fun run's participants to follow Griggs' pattern exactly. After all, certain crossings in the town are better suited for one individual rather than an entire group of people. Nonetheless, the Mount Airy Police Department will assist the participants in duplicating the pattern as best as possible.
At 9 a.m. on April 14, participants will arrive at the Mount Airy Country Club, close to where Hampton used to live. Already 30 people have committed to attending the event, although Brinegar anticipates many more. She would like as many people as possible to be dropped off, as parking will be limited.
"Even if we park them down in the Mount Airy Country Club parking lot, it's going to be a mess," she explained. "If they don't want to meet there, they can join us along the way."
Brinegar would like plenty of school-age children to join the festivities, particularly from Hampton's alma mater, Mount Airy High.
From the country club golf course, participants will run — or walk — down North Main Street, moving onto Main Street, before crossing over Pine Street and onto Cherry Street, and then heading to Donna's Barber Shop.
At the barber shop, participants will enjoy hot dogs and soda. However, the main attraction there will be a cornhole tournament, in which the top players will receive trophies. Participants must provide their own cornhole boards, a quid pro quo Brinegar feels will be easily met. At this time, she is raffling two boards: one decorated for N.C. State and the other for Relay's Save the Tatas initiative. According to Brinegar, boards for Harley Davidson and Relay for Life should be available in time for the fun run. All proceeds from the raffles go to Relay for Life and the March of Dimes.
The Griggs Hampton Memorial Fun Run is just one of many ways Mount Airy is remembering Hampton. Both Relay for Life and the March of Dimes already have named him as the ambassador for their events this year. Hampton was always a welcome, dependable presence at each, where he raised funds via such means as dressing as Elvis and operating a kissing booth.
Brinegar hopes Hampton's determination in life will inspire greater communal dedication for both causes.
"I think it will make more people think, 'Yes, I can do this. If Griggs could do it, I can, too,'" she said. "Everyone who walks into my barber shop says, 'I'm going to miss him this year.'
"And now we're going to be there for him, like he was for us."
Reach Josh Armstrong at 719-1921 or armstrong@heartlandpublications.com.
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