Caitlin Wirick, 3, of Gibsonia gets her balloons before the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 3/18/23

Fallon Porter, 7, left and Benny Porter, 6, play with their balloons before the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 3/18/23

Melissa Bowser, of Kittanning, registers for the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 3/18/23

Kristin Mora register people for the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 3/18/23

Michelle Gawlinski from Kittanning registers for the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 3/18/23

“Always thankful” was the theme for the seventh annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk that took place Saturday, March 18 on the streets of West Leechburg.

The family-friendly event included a DJ, face painting, balloon artist, costume contest and several vendors. Disney princesses from the movies Frozen and Moana attended the event, in addition to superheroes like Captain America and Thor. Post-race snacks included Gatorade, Smiley cookies, fruit and more.

The costume contest, a tradition at the event, was judged by the event’s guests of honor. This year’s honorees are Seneca High School students Kacy Christensen and Sarah Vescio, this year’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries of the Year. The two have raised more than $5,000 in honor of blood cancer patients and survivors and will share their inspiration and motivation.

The hosting organization, Semper Gratus, raises money for a number of nonprofits including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s Association and Familylinks.

Ian Coyle, president of the locally-based Semper Gratus charity, said the fun of the event is punctuated by its purpose of eliminating cancer.

“Awareness is our intention,” Coyle said. “Creating hope is our mission.”