As we all know at the University of Virginia, the usual philanthropic event of choice is a 5K walk/run. However, this past weekend I took part in a different sort of event—a three-legged race!
Three-For-All was an event held on the Downtown Mall on this past Saturday, hosted by SARA (Sexual Assault Resource Agency). Margaret Mikkelsen, the executive director of SARA in Charlottesville, said that the event “…was held to promote individual and community responsibility to work together to prevent sexual assault and abuse. We wanted participants of all ages to pair up to step out together against assault, abuse, stalking, and harassment.”
All in all, there were 35 teams that had signed up for the race, resulting in around 70 participants, who walked, ran and hopped their way down the Downtown Mall with their legs tied together. The race allowed for community members, as well as University of Virginia students to come together to raise sexual assault awareness.
Mikkelsen also announced that SARA would become involved in more Charlottesville community events, including a forum on April 27th. The forum will focus on the health and well-being of children, and is a joint effort with Foothills Child Advocacy Center, CYFS (Children, Youth, and Family Services Inc. of Charlottesville), and The Shelter for Help in Emergency.
Three-For-All will be held again next year, and Mikkelsen says SARA will be on the look out for volunteers to make the experience even better. Those interested in volunteering are told to contact Jasmine Brock in the SARA Charlottesville office at 434-295-7273.
Mullen
