Even rain could not dampen the spirit of the walkers and color blast station participants at this year’s Drug Free Muskingum Color Run (walk/waddle). Every year, the event takes on a new fun theme; this year’s was “Future-opoly,” a take on the popular board game, Monopoly.
The event took place at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 16. The event is not timed, and is open to everyone at any fitness level. Because of the wide paved path around the grounds, this is a fully accessible color run. The family-friendly event was a fundraiser to help support mental health and recovery programs in our community.
“It’s exciting to see the 15 agencies coming out. It is growing. Attendance and, you know, even with the rain, people are showing up, supporting mental health and substance use awareness, prevention, and education. So, hopefully next year, maybe we’ll even grow bigger,” Monica Doan, co-founder of Drug Free Muskingum said.
Muskingum Valley Health Centers, Muskingum County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Cairn Recovery Resources, LLC, Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health Solutions, Muskingum Behavioral Health, Path Behavioral Healthcare, Muskingum Area Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health-Ohio Rise, Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, Eastside Community Ministry, Genesis Behavioral Health, Project Ready, Allwell Behavioral Health Services, and Spero Health signed up to participate and blast colorful powder at walkers as they passed.
Anyone is welcome to participate and set up a color station. There is no cost; participants just have to provide their own color powder. Also, agencies that participate are invited to decorate or dress up to match the theme to elevate the fun.
This year, the Integrated Services for Behavioral Health station embraced the theme with members of their team dressed as giant dice and a fully decked-out color blast station. They won first place for their creativity and enthusiasm.
“We’re so glad that people still came out, rain or shine, but here we are showing that the community cares. We’re here, we’re ready for services, we do in-home care, and there’s so many families that need to know that,” said Sarah Lang with Integrated Services.
Other trophy winners this year were Path Behavioral Health and Muskingum Behavioral Health, who received second and third places in the blasting station contest.
“I like the community to see that, all these agencies working together to be a part of the solution. And then the community supporting the efforts that we’re doing. So, that’s, I think that’s the big thing. And then the collaborative work. I don’t think a lot of the community understands what we are doing behind the scenes, so to speak. So, coming out here and working all together is big,” stated Doan.
For more information about Drug Free Muskingum and upcoming events, follow them on Facebook.
CAPTION: The Integrated Health Services team stops to pose for a picture. They were one of 15 agencies to sign up to host a color blast station. | CREDIT: Lynette Dotson
