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BY TYLER RALEY | PHOTOS BY NOAH WORTHAM AND CONTRIBUTED

As runners crossed Columbiana Main Street on a perfect Saturday morning and ran through the finish line at the Forging Families 5K/10K, they had done much more than simply just complete a race.

That early wakeup was not only giving life to their legs, but to a family as well. Who is that family? It is none other than the Burlesons.

Helena locals Conner and Jaci Burleson were going through the adoption process to turn themselves into a family of three by adding a little girl, but they faced a challenge that comes about with many parents who look to adopt in the expensiveness of adoption fees.

Searching for answers, they joined Sacred Selections, a non-profit organization that’s mission is to help promote adoption while removing the financial burdens that Christian families face when pursuing it. Little did they know that joining would lead them to an old friend that was going to change their world.

The Forging Families 5K/10K is an annual race that takes place in Columbiana, Alabama and raises funds for Sacred Selections to support a local family with adoption fees.

“I love everything about this race,” said Joel Dixon who organizes the race. “It’s such a fun, rewarding day each year. I love raising this money for such an important cause.”

Dixon takes the initiative of reaching out to Sacred Selections to help select a local family to raise money for. When he found out that the Burlesons were in the process of adopting, it was an immediate connection he could not pass up on.

“They actually just matched with their baby when I spoke to them a week or so ago,” Dixon said. “I’ve actually known Jaci her entire life. Her parents and I grew up together in Hueytown. I had no idea they were adopting prior to reaching out to Sacred Selections to see if they had a family locally in process. It was really cool to find out it was Conner and Jaci.”

The Burlesons have been married for 5 1/2 years, and this process was their first adoption. Soon after Dixon found out the news, the Burlesons got the unexpected call from him, sparking a whirlwind of emotions that do not come around every day.

“It felt extra special getting contacted by Joel asking us to be this year’s sponsored family, as well as letting us know the funds would be supporting our adoption,” Conner Burleson said. “There’s something special about being a part of these big moments alongside those who you know and trust.”

That big moment for the Burlesons was now, which helped lift them up in a big way, as they continued to trek through a long adoption process.

According to the U.S. Adoption Statistics from the Adoption Network, it is estimated around two to four percent of Americans have adopted, and when it can take anywhere from several months to several years to adopt a child, support like this is monumental.

“The adoption process is not only an emotional roller coaster, but it’s a very expensive endeavor,” Burleson said. “Without the support of the Forging Families 5K/10K and Sacred Selections, getting our daughter would not have been possible. We will forever be grateful for the support.”

Over the last six years, the Forging Families 5K/10K has raised around $65,000 for families in need of assistance with adoption fees. In this year’s installment, the success rate was no different than in years past.

Even with rescheduling involved, the 176-runner race raised $11,308.30, which all went towards Sacred Selections in order to assist Conner and Jaci in adopting their little girl.

“With adoption, you are crafting a family in a really, really important way,” Dixon said. “So, that’s a big deal and that makes it easier for families that are willing to take on the challenge of adopting.”

The Burlesons now join a legacy of the families that were selected before them, all having been able to bring a new face to their families thanks to Dixon’s efforts with the event.

As a result of what this race has provided to them, the Burlesons are excited to see what it does for families that are in their same situation in the future

“It’s an honor to both be a part of the Sacred Selections family and a sponsored family in the Forging Families 5K/10K,” Burleson said. “It’s a privilege to be associated with something with such positivity around it. We look forward to meeting the future sponsored families.”

Now, as some locals continue to run through the streets of Columbiana and think about major life decisions, they can reflect back on how they helped the Burlesons for one morning, but made an impact that has changed the rest of their lives for good.

“We just want to say, ‘Thank you,’” Burleson said. “Without the support of these great organizations we would not get to experience the joy of being parents. Every time we look at our daughter we are reminded of the kindness and love of all of those who supported Sacred Selections and Forging Families, both in the past and the future.”