Fun Run raises money for students with disabilities
USU business students put on a 5K “Fun Run” in conjunction with a Disability Awareness Fair Friday, Nov. 17 and Monday, Nov. 20.
Twelve students were assigned to do a project to benefit the community, and USU student Cassie Telford had the idea for this particular event.
“My aunt and uncle have benefited from the services that the Center for Persons with Disabilities and the Assistive Technology lab offer,” Telford said.
She collaborated with the Center for Persons with Disabilities and her group of fellow students to put together an event that would raise awareness. Stan Clelland, the AT lab coordinator, assisted in planning and carrying out the events.
“We thought it would be nice if more people knew because everyone will experience disability in their life, or someone close to them,” Telford said.
The events were held to raise money for Utah State’s Assistive Technology lab. Assistive Technology includes things like wheelchairs, bikes and crutches that provide comfort, mobility and increased independence to persons with disabilities.
About $100 was raised and more than 50 people participated in the events.
Johnny Tall, a junior in entrepreneurship, won the race with a time of 17 minutes and 35 seconds.
The fun run was held to raise money for the lab by way of a $10 entrance fee, although participants ran for free if they donated a piece of equipment. Donations could also be made at the Disability Awareness Fair in the sunburst lounge.
The main goal of the event was to raise awareness of the challenges faced by disabled members of the community as well as barriers they must overcome. Additionally, the student organizers of the event will give the donations collected to the AT lab, where they will be refurbished and either given to individuals in need or to students undertaking projects to assist the disabled.
“The AT lab is great because they can take old equipment and customize it,” Telford said,” or even come up with complete new concepts for individual clients.”
The students involved considered the event a success because more people were made aware of the cause, but they all hope it can get even bigger.
Telford said, “The best part is that anyone, not just people affiliated with the university, can be helped.”
-chelseyg@cc.usu.edu