WEBSTER – The sixth annual Savannah Memorial Run 5K brought community members together to honor Savannah’s memory, raise awareness of domestic violence and support local programs for survivors and youth.

Ms. Kinchin, one of the event’s organizers, said she was pleased with the turnout as participants gathered to walk and run. Final attendance numbers were not available at the time of the interview.

The event has raised nearly $78,000 over the past five years, according to Kinchin. A portion of the proceeds benefits Bay Area Turning Point, which provides services to people affected by domestic violence.

Kinchin said raising awareness of domestic violence and its effects on families is a central purpose of the event.

“It’s not just the victim that’s affected,” Kinchin said, noting that Savannah’s two children were also affected. “And it’s something that you don’t get over.”

Kinchin described the annual gathering as a bittersweet occasion but said she and her husband are proud to continue organizing the run in Savannah’s memory.

She said that although the event bears Savannah’s name, its purpose extends throughout the community.

The run also benefits the Savannah Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to young people seeking to attend summer camp through their church.

According to Kinchin, summer camp was an important part of Savannah’s life. The scholarship fund aims to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent other young people from participating.

“We don’t want anyone to not be able to attend because of financial reasons,” Kinchin said.

Through its fundraising efforts and domestic violence awareness message, the Savannah Memorial Run 5K continues to bring the community together while supporting services for survivors and opportunities for local youth.