Our Colors Run Together

“Our Colors Run Together” BY: Katie Fox

On Saturday September 12, 2020, the Randall Key Club volunteered at the “Our Colors Run Together” 5k and Fun Run, held at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas. This run is named for each cancer’s designated color coming together for one cause. Along the sidewalk of the course, each color was represented with big flags. The run was put on to honor, raise money and awareness for different types of cancer, and bring the community together. The event started at 8am and lasted until noon. Members attending this event were scattered around the race’s course, cheering on runners and directing them on their path to the finish line. Many of Randall’s students attended the run, including RHS band’s very own drumline, which includes a few of the school’s Key Club members. Each student helping received a “volunteer” t-shirt, and green pom poms to cheer racers on. Groups of two to three students lined up at each corner of the route, and remained there for the three different races that passed by.

Members volunteering at the race also had the opportunity to hear stories from cancer survivors themselves. Before the run began, survivors and families met together and said a prayer, read a heartfelt poem, and had a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to these illnesses. Survivors, when finished with the run, earned a special medal which indicated they had beat the illness, and the race. One such survivor, Gwyn Jones, ran the 5k with her daughter’s dog, Sam. Many who ran the course had their dogs by their side, but Sam is no ordinary canine. Jones and her daughter, Brenda Brown, are volunteers with the 24 Hr Cancer Survivorship Center, where Sam works as a therapy dog for patients. Our club was lucky enough to help Jones and Brown put on an amazing event and hear their story to share with others. After cleaning up the main grounds of the course, Randall’s Key Club members were invited to give Sam some love, and learn more about the partnerships and importance of events similar to the fun run and 5k.

There is no doubt that service is extraordinary. Randall’s students have said they “enjoyed the run and seeing smiling faces” at the race. There are many more opportunities to get out in the community for those attending Randall High in the future, and many chances to help those in need.