The raising-awareness-and-money season is off and running, or walking.

Walking has become a premier ­fundraising means for organizations representing causes — with ­secondary benefits: exercise, fresh air, social contact and emotional support.

This autumn, Moore County residents welcome two new events.

FOBees 5K

Pinehurst resident Barty Means is determined to raise awareness about kidney cancer. The retired trial attorney has been diagnosed stage IV, had surgery at Duke University Medical Center, and is in partially controlled remission.

“I don’t want to take away from breast cancer. I just want people to know there is another disease out there,” Means says.

The American Cancer Society reports that 65,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed annually, with 13,000 deaths.

“My friends have been so supportive. They had ‘Barty’s parties,’” Means says.

These friends formed a group called F.O.B.s (friends of Barty), which became “FOBees.” To show ­appreciation, Means gave them bee buttons. More than 1,000 buttons were donated by the vendor; Means distributed them at medical facilities and elsewhere.

“She’s an inspiration, a fighter with a positive ­attitude,” says FOBee Lynn Connolly.

The next step was an event to fund a scholarship for a medical student interested in kidney carcinoma research. (This event is not associated with the National Kidney Foundation.) The village of Pinehurst and other sponsors donated services; T-shirts were made ­locally.

The first annual FOBees 5K Fun Walk will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Cannon Park in Pinehurst. Registration is $20; donations accepted.

Information: www.fobees.org; (910) 295-6073.

Bark for Life

The Bark for Life of Moore County is a logical offshoot of the American Cancer Society’s nationwide and longstanding Relay for Life events.

“Moore County loves their dogs, and we have so many cancer survivors living here,” say Amy Albert, community manager for the ACS. Besides, Albert continues, “Pets are companions no matter what you look like — even after chemotherapy. They love you the same.”

The non-competitive walk of less than a mile begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Cannon Park in Pinehurst. Walkers without dogs are welcome. Rain date: Sept. 23. A survivor’s lap starts at 2:20 p.m., with closing ceremonies at 4:45 p.m.

Registration: $20 in advance, $25 race day.

Information and registration: www.relayforlife.org/barkmoorenc.

Other Fall Walking Events

• 1 in 8K Moore for the Cure, 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, Given Memorial Library, Pinehurst: A 1K fun run/walk starts at 10:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lives, hence the ­numbers. In its initial year the event attracted 500 ­participants, who raised $29,000. This event is part of the Sandhills Race Series. A live concert by Ad Nauseum will follow the run.

Registration: $25. Information and registration: www.1in8K.org.

• Paint the Village Pink Wine Walk: Shotgun starts at 4:30 or 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 at Tufts Archives in Pinehurst. Proceeds benefit Moore for the Cure/Susan G. Komen for the Cure and local affiliates.

Tickets: $30 at village merchants and Lowes Foods; $35 at starting point, if available.

Walkers receive a wine glass, wrist band and map of the 24 locations serving food and wine samples.

Information: www.Inside Pinehurst.com or (910) 687-0377.

• Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 (registration 9 a.m.), Sandhills Community College. Alzheimer’s is the sixth ­leading cause of death in the United States and the only ­disease in the top 10 that cannot be prevented or cured. In North Carolina, 170,000 residents are living with Alzheimer’s. Event affiliated with the national Alzheimer’s Association. No registration fee, donations encouraged. Those raising $100 will receive a T-shirt. One-mile walk followed by music, entertainment, food and fellowship.

Information: www.alz.org/ northcarolina or (336) 285-5920.

• The Miles for MIRA 5k Fun Run and Dog Walk benefiting the MIRA Foundation starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at Sandhills Community College.

Money raised will help the foundation provide guide dogs, along with training and services, free of charge to blind children and youth between ages 11 and 17. Preregistration closes Oct. 19, but participants can also register on the day of the run. A $25 registration fee includes participation in the fun run, a T-shirt and refreshments. A first-place award will be given to the top male and female finishers.

Information: Tonya Smith at tonya@mirausa.org or at (910) 944-7757.

• The third annual Scarecrow WEE Fitness Run on Saturday, Oct. 27, is a 5k and 1-mile family run that takes participants through the McLendon Hills equestrian community in West End. The run is a fundraiser for West End Elementary School.

Registration fees are $15 for the fun run and $25 for the 5k. Children under 12 can register for the 5k for $15. Registration closes Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.

The 5k is limited to 500 participants, and to be guaranteed a T-shirt, participants must register by Oct. 5.

Information: West End Elementary School, (910) 673-6691.

Purely for Fun and Fitness

• Run Wild 5k Run/Walk at the North Carolina Zoo, Saturday, Sept. 15, 7:30 a.m. Start in Africa and run through visitor pathways around the zoo toward the finish with the chance to potentially see a few animals on the way.

The race benefits the North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers.

Registration is $30 for adults, $25 for youth.

Information: http://www.ncaazk .com/runwild5k.htm.

• The 34th annual Autumnfest on Saturday, Oct. 6, sponsored by Southern Pines Parks and Recreation features a 5K run and a 1 mile fun run, starting at 9:30 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. beginning at Downtown Park.

Preregister by Sept. 21 for $15 and receive a T-shirt (first 150 registrants). Race day registration: $20. Fun run: free. Youth races at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-12 also free. Information: (910) 692-2463.