Suicide prevention program hosts race through Ronan
Karen Peterson
Racers take off from the start line of the Your Life Matters 1K fun run and 5K Friday night at Ronan High School.
Karen Peterson
The Jenson family participates as characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
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RONAN – Tyler Joachim finished the Your Life Matters Race wearing a Halloween costume that looked like a giant hotdog along with about 100 other people running in costumes through town in the dark on Friday night with traffic control provided by the Ronan Police and Fire Departments.
“I did get hot,” he said laughing in reference to being a hotdog while running, although his voice took a serious tone when he talked about the reason for the race, which was to raise money for suicide prevention programs.
Tyler is a high school freshman. He was selected back in September with dozens of other students to occasionally wear a yellow T-shirt that says “how can I help?” The national suicide prevention hotline number 1-800-273-TALK is on the sleeve.
“A few people have told me their stories,” he said of wearing the shirt at school. “We try to be as generous as possible and to be a friend. They share with us because they trust us, and we refer them to a teacher they can also trust.”
Sophomore Penni Weyant ran the race with Tyler.
“The shirts really help people open up,” she said. “This is a great program. It’s bringing awareness to the issue.”
Donalee Johnsen, Your Life Matters Project founder, said the race was a way for many people to get involved.
“This is our main fundraiser,” she said adding that the $10 race registration was going to help bring in training and presenters focused on suicide prevention to the area.
Sarah Dumont, group member, said that next year’s race might be in September.
“September is suicide prevention month and we hope to have the race then,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of local people come together to help with this, which is awesome.”
This year’s race was organized in October so the group asked everyone to wear their Halloween costumes that included the Mission Valley Velocity Fast Pitch softball team in their uniforms with added fluffy skirts and a group of five cats with a mouse. Eight members of the Jenson family were dressed up as the cast from the “Wizard of Oz,” including a sleeping baby lion. Su-San Perez-Tenas won the costume contest as the Mad Hatter, and Aaron Perry won as the giraffe. Race winners were Penni Weyant and Gavin Martin.
To join the group, contact Johnsen at 406-382-0088. They can also be found on Facebook under Your Life Matters Project.
