When Britni Brannon set out to fulfill her “Kingdom Assignment,” she had no clue that it would lead her to help a little girl she had never even met.

Several weeks ago Brannon’s pastor, Rev. Phil White presented a sermon to the Calhoun Seventh Day Adventist Church on what he called “Kingdom Assignments,” ways parishioners could serve both God and their communities.

“He asked each of us to take $100 and grow it — use the money to help someone,” Brannon said.

Brannon and her father, David Brannon, decided to merge their passion for running and helping others. That’s when the father and daughter came up with the idea to run 160 miles to raise money for Abigail.

Abigail Mendoza, 8, was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome at birth; and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Britni and David learned of Abigail’s illness through one of David’s colleagues.

Brannon said she knew immediately Abigail was who they were destined to help.

Brannon shared her idea, which she called 24 for Abigail, with friends and family, quickly nearly 20 volunteers jumped on board. On Nov. 7 the group will begin a 24-hour, 160 mile run around the county.

Each runner will take on nearly 20 miles with sponsors to donating $.25, $.50, $1 or $2 per mile.

When the Brannons met with the Mendozas to tell them of their plans, they were immediately touched by the outpouring of emotion and gratitude.

“Her mom started crying and saying ‘we have no way to repay you, but God repays and he repays really well’,” Brannon said.

But, it isn’t just the Mendoza family being touched by the event.

“I think its a great event for a good cause,” said runner Mike Motes. “The event itself shows the compassion people have for others, even those we don't personally know. Each person supporting this event, giving of their talents, either financially or through time, equals a lot for Abigail.”

For Motes the event was chance for him to remember his daughter Ava, who was born Nov. 23, 2008.

“We had her a little over an hour and half,” Motes said.

Ava was born with trisomy 18, a chromosomal abnormality of the 18th chromosome, while Abigail has trisomy 21.

”While there wasn't any amount of medical help that could have saved Ava, we had such strong support from family, friends, church and the community. Her life touched so many people, even though it was too short. So for my wife and I this is a way to help another family's little girl. She can grow, learn, live, and play. It is such a gift.”

The 160 mile run will begin at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Highway 53 and loop around the county before ending at the Gordon Hospital. For more information or to donate email Brannon at britniam@gmail.com.