Three Thomas County Central High School student organizations have joined forces to throw color on an important cause.
The Spectrum Run: A Color Run for Autism Awareness will be held at Thomas County Middle School on April 15. The event includes a one-mile fun run for kids and a 5K adult run.
“A color run is an event where runners, typically in white, are covered in colored powder at different stations around the track,” TCCHS Student Ambassador MiKayla Jordan said. “You start in white and finish in color.”
The event is spearheaded by the TCCHS Student Ambassadors, a new organization this year dedicated to promoting awareness of and volunteering in fundraising efforts to assist various important causes. Since April is Autism Awareness month, the ambassadors chose to conduct a color run to promote such cognizance. Assisting the group with the event are volunteers from the TCCHS Student Council and school members of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy.
“Many children in our area are impacted by autism, and we wanted to let them and their families know we care,” TCCHS Student Ambassadors Advisor Joshua Niswonger said.
TCCHS Student Council Advisor Teresa Carver is excited her members are assisting in this event.
“It is a very worthy cause and everyone will have a fun experience while supporting it,” Carver said.
Junior Parker Dixon, a student council member, is glad to be involved.
“I feel like it is great that the organizations are getting behind a wonderful cause,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun event that will help you appreciate all of the gifts you have.”
Dixon looks forward to running in the event.
“I love running, and to be able to give back to the community at the same time will be a great experience,” he said.
The kids’ fun run is at 9 a.m. with preregistration pickup beginning at 8:30 a.m. The run is for children age 10 and under. Cost is $20 per child and kids age three and younger have free registration. Parents or guardians may accompany children during the run, but they will not receive a shirt unless they register and pay.
The adults’ 5K run begins at 10 a.m. with preregistration pickup beginning at 9:30 a.m. Registration is open to ages 11 and older. The cost is $25 per individual.
Each participant will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag. Runners are encouraged to wear white and finish “in color” by allowing “color” (made of powder) to be thrown on them.
“Our volunteers will be posted at stations around the track showering runners in our vibrant color powder,” Jordan explained. “Because runners are encouraged to wear white, the color powder provides for an excellent photo op with friends and an overall fun experience.”
Organizers stress the “color” will wash out of skin and hair but caution it is not guaranteed to wash out of strollers, shoes, or clothes. Niswonger adds the color powder is “made from a food grade, biodegradable product with all FDA approved dyes.”
An awards ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Awards will be given to first place finishers based on age bracket. All funds raised from the run will be donated to the Autism Society, a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by autism.
“We are hoping many people from around the community will come and support this cause either by participating in the run or sponsoring a student/child to participate,” Niswonger said. “We hope you will come enjoy a few hours of fun for a great cause.”
Sign up for students is being held in the TCCHS cafeteria during lunches. For community sign-up, please come by the school to fill out a registration form and pay. Also, online registration and payment is available at www.thomas.k12.ga.us/1/Home. Click “My PaymentsPlus” under the quick links.
The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 5. For more information, email Joshua Niswonger at jniswonger@tcjackets.net.