JUPITER, Fla. (CBS12) — This week’s “Hometown Hero” is a woman who’s dedicated most of her life to helping kids and families who need it most.
Edna Runner’s passion for education inspired her to create an afterschool program for kids in her hometown of Jupiter nearly 35 years ago and she hasn’t looked back since.
“I never thought, never imagined, it would grow like this,” Runner said.
From the basement of a local church to a building bearing her name, Edna Runner helped create a safe space for kids in need.
“There was a group of concerned citizens that realized we needed an afterschool program for our kids that needed help with their homework here in the west Jupiter area,” Runner said.
It started in 1986 as the “West Jupiter Community Group” with 45 kids.
Since then, this labor of love has impacted thousands of students.