The goal of the nonprofit organization Family TIES is to bring families together, and locals can join in their effort this weekend at the annual Family Fun Run.

It’s a fundraiser for Family TIES, formerly known as Prevent Child Abuse-Gainesville, for programs and services to the Gainesville/Hall County community.

“The money goes to our programs that we run for Family TIES,” said Dee Dee Mize, executive director of Family TIES. “Everything that we do for the community is free, so it’s our parenting programs, our teen workshops, our child care for the families that are in the parenting class and also for any kind of any other programs we are running ... like anti-bullying.”

The Family Fun Run will include a 5K, 10K and a 1-mile fun run for children.

“Every child will get a medallion,” Mize said of the fun run. “It’s not about who’s winning, it’s all about coming out to help them have fun and a good time with their family.

“We’re going to have face painters, a clown, games for the kids ... for them all to be able to go to a place and have a good time and raising awareness as well.”

The run has been held at Lake Lanier Islands in the past but the organization decided to relocate the event for more community participation.

“We serve the Gainesville/Hall County community and we thought it would be best to have the race in a central location this year,” McKinney said.

Up next for Family TIES is the largest fundraiser of the year, Diamonds and Denim, on Aug. 22.