Rain doesn’t deter runners in first joint 5k fundraiser
WORTHINGTON, Armstrong County — About 90 runners and walkers persevered through Saturday morning rain showers to raise money for domestic and sexual abuse victim agencies in Butler and Armstrong counties.
Butler County’s Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe) and Armstrong County’s Helping All Victims in Need (HAVIN) came together to put on the first of what they hope will become an annual fundraising event to raise awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence.
“We’re doing this in collaboration,” Laurie Johns, HAVIN executive direction, said under a shelter at the Worthington-West Franklin Fire Hall, as she waited for soggy participants to return from the 5K race.
HAVIN, VOICe and other survivor-centered organizations recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“It’s nice to support a good cause,” said Dylan Claypoole of Worthington.
He said also wanted to run a 5K before having knee reconstruction surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.
“Positive mind and push through it,” Claypoole said. “A lot of people have it worse than a bad knee. It’s important to have a positive mind and persevere.”
VOICe coordinated the race using experience from organizing a 5K every year in memory of Missy Barto, who was killed by her boyfriend in June 2017 at the age of 26, said R. Courtney Riffer, VOICe director of prevention and outreach.
“This is pretty decent turnout for the first time and crappy weather,” Riffer said.
Prizes were awarded to the top three finishers and age class winners. Food trucks, which were open to spectators and community members, donated their proceeds to the agencies.
“I think it’s nice having two agencies working together to raise funds for both agencies,” Johns said.
Both agencies receive state funding from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, and both operate emergency shelters for survivors.
