On Saturday, November 5, hundreds of Chester County, PA residents gathered for the first Chester County Color 5K. The event kicked off in West Chester’s Everhart Park and was hosted by the Chester County Commissioners, District Attorney, the Department of Health, and the Department of Drug & Alcohol Services. The run/walk was hosted to generate awareness and raise funds to battle opioid and heroin addiction within Chester County.
The 5K involved more than 800 participants and numerous dedicated volunteers. Money raised will be devoted to funding hospitals throughout the County to study and coordinate a “warm hand-off” program, which would transition those who have been saved from an overdose into long-term treatment and counseling.
McCormick Taylor was one of only three color station sponsors, and a group from our Exton office was joined by County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone to douse runners and walkers, including our own Jennifer Payne-McAleer and Susan Guisinger-Colón, with tinted corn starch as they passed through the purple and gold station.
The race featured three speakers: Chester County Commissioner Michele Kichline, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, and NOPE (Narcotive Overdose Prevention Education) Parent Volunteer Jackie Smiro. Participants and guests were invited to sign a special banner in remembrance of those who have lost their battle with addiction, as well as those who still struggle under its grip.
