BANGOR, Maine — Hundreds of people gathered in Broadway Park on Sunday morning for St. Joseph Hospital’s Commit to Community fundraiser—running and walking to raise money for the hospital’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program.
The SAFE Program provides treatment for survivors of sexual violence.
At the hospital’s sixth annual event on Sunday, people participated in a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and kids obstacle course for this cause.
“It's just fun, the atmosphere is great, I love it," Shauna Larrabee, who walked in the 5K said.
People got active and raised awareness and money to strengthen support and resources for survivors of sexual abuse and violence.
"Because it happens more than everybody tends to think and those need support," Larrabee said. "So having a place that they can go and get the support that they need is really, really important, that they're not alone in anything."
The hospital changed the name of the annual fundraiser this year from "Commit to Get Fit" to "Commit to Community."
New and returning runners alike came to show their support.
"I've run this race I think five times. It's for a great cause, great energy," 10K runner Lisa Kingsbury said.
Participant, volunteer, and staff all acknowledged how important St. Joseph's SAFE Program is for the community.
"Everyone realizes that they know someone that's probably been affected by some of this violence in their lives, whether it's a loved one, or a family member, or friend, and this is a way they can give back and support that," SAFE Program Coordinator Keri Kapaldo said.
Last year, SAFE nurses worked with more than 750 patients. They provide one-on-one medical care and treatment and connect survivors to community resources to meet their needs.
"We give this holistic response that's trauma-informed, so we can meet survivors where they're at and really just take the time that they need to work through a medical exam or other resources during an event," Kapaldo said.
The hospital's goal was to raise $225,000 for the program. Race Director Brad Ryder said they exceeded that goal Sunday morning.
"We call it 'Commit for Community' because it really takes a whole community to support an event like this," Ryder said.
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