DIXFIELD — The Dixfield Firemen’s Relief Association is holding their first annual Public Safety 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, in an effort to raise money for the Dixfield Fire Company and the Wounded Warriors Project.

Shawn MacFarlane, a firefighter with the Dixfield Fire Company and the president of the Dixfield Firemen’s Relief Association, said that the relief association was looking for new ways to raise money for the department.

“The small departments have been struggling with fundraisers as of late, and we’ve been trying to come up with different means to make some money,” MacFarlane said. “The economy just makes it tough right now. However, one of our assistant chiefs was a runner, and he was onto the idea of holding a 5K run/walk since they’ve been popular as of late.”

Although registration for the event ended on Aug. 31, MacFarlane said that residents can still sign up for the event on the day of the 5K.

The registration fee for the race is $25 for adults, $15 for kids 12 and under and $100 for a team of five participants. Registration on the day of the event will last from 7 to 9 a.m., with the run/walk beginning at 9 a.m.

MacFarlane said that those walking in the event will start at 9:15 a.m.

A majority of the money raised from the 5K will go towards helping the Dixfield Fire Company, which is run on a volunteer basis.

MacFarlane added that 25 percent of proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Projects of Maine.

“We want to be able to help out some other groups in the area too,” MacFarlane said.

Several sponsors have signed up for the event, MacFarlane said, which has helped cover “almost 100 percent of the cost.”

“This way, everything we bring in from the registration side can go towards the fire company and the Wounded Warriors Project,” MacFarlane said.

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