5K Fun Run For Mental Health

By GRACIE LEAVITT

The Progress

More than 80 local residents turned out to run in the Hope Heals 5K Fun Run on Saturday, Aug. 14 beginning at the Grant Bowler Elementary School.

Registered runners lined up to start the race at 7 am. The 5K course took the participants through five different water stations along the way where they were cheered on by volunteers. Colored powder was thrown at the runners as they passed by. As they passed by Moapa Valley District Logandale Station #73, firefighters gave the runners a cooling mist of water from the fire hose as well.

The Fun Run was organized by the new Teen Leadership Corps (TLC) organization, a 4-H group under the supervision of local 4-H Coordinator Dianna Walker.

It was done in a team effort with the Moapa Valley Community Education Advisory Board (MVCEAB) and the Cooperative Extension to bring a greater emphasis on mental health in the community.

The event was considered as a great success. It raised more than $700 toward helping to pay the expenses of an upcoming Mental Health Resource Fair that is planned for Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Logandale Fairgrounds.

About 20 volunteers came forward to help the TLC with the logistics of the event. These included members of the MVCEAB, MVHS student council, National Honors Society and others. Most helped with sign-ins, donations, and maintenance.

“Our TLC group have been planning this for the last couple of weeks now,” Walker said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to do it after the TLC group was created. So they plowed into it and got things going. I feel like they did an amazing job putting it together and it went really well.”

“I felt like there were a lot of people that came out and ran that we hadn’t seen before,” Walker said. “It was fun to see that range of people. There were kids throwing powder and handing out water. There was a lot of positive energy that I believe is needed right now.”

Participants had a great time being together and supporting the great cause. “I loved coming out to support those involved and to help in this cause,” said parent/participant Alex Mulcock. “My family loved it and we ended up having a blast. My kids keep asking when we are going to do it again. It was fun to see all different ages come together for a good cause.”

Junior Shaylee Adams served as announcer for the event. She read off the numbers of incoming runners, and cheered them on as they passed the finish line. She also announced the top finishers and several special awards.

“I think the 5K went positively fantastic!” Adams said. “We had a great turnout and it was amazing to see everyone’s smiling faces so bright and early. The excitement towards being colored made the experience even better for everyone I think. From what I saw, everyone was able to have fun!”

MVCEAB Chairwoman Wendy Mulcock expressed appreciation publicly to all who participated in the event. “We could give you all medals!” Mulcock said. “When you are running for mental health, everyone is a winner.”

“We sit and watch the news and feel helpless as the situations in our country and the world seem to be getting more unpredictable every day,” Mulcock added. “What we need to understand is that each one of us has the ability to improve life here…right here in little Moapa Valley! Our combined desire to help each other has always unified our community! Let’s join together in helping our children and their families get through these current times.”

The Mental Health Resource Fair on Sept. 9, will be free to the public and will feature Kevin Hines, an award-winning suicide prevention activitis who, at the age of 19 attempted to take his own life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The event will also offer an expo-like environment highlighting the many mental health resources available to the residents of the local communities.

A variety of activities will be available for kids including bounce houses and little games that are designed to help connect people together. All of these activities will be planned and carried out by the TLC group.