Triton Color Run raises money for suicide prevention

Six years ago the Triton Student Council came together and decided that they needed to do something to support the community when it comes to mental health issues.
After brainstorming the student led organization decided the best way would be to raise money for different organizations in the community that help support people who suffer from mental health issues and illnesses.
Kim Swanson, who is the Triton Student Council Advisor, explained that the community has had a few deaths by suicides over the years, and they knew they wanted to do something to help bring awareness and prevention.
The organization decided to do a color run because they knew it would be a fun way to get more people from the community involved with the fundraiser and that more people would participate than having a normal 5K run.
Since they have started having the color run in 2012, each year the group decides on a different organization to raise money for.
Last Saturday, Triton held its fifth annual color run this year raising money for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization that offers support for individuals and their families dealing with mental illness.
During the run about 70 runners ran which helped raise about $1,000 for the worthy organization.
Student council co-president, Kylie Franko called the color run as one of her favorite events of the year.
“Organizing the color run is one of my favorite events of the year! The money we raise always goes to suicide prevention or mental health awareness, which is something that is very important to me,” she said.
Aside from the runners in attendance, the group also had about 25 volunteers who helped put on the event and made it possible to raise money for the worthwhile cause.
“They made the event happen,” said Swanson.