Outside Roberts dining hall on a bright and breezy Saturday, 80 Colby College students showed up to compete in the Mayflower Hill Charity 5K. The purpose of this event was to raise money for a local charity: EduCare of Central Maine.
The course consisted of four laps, marked out by chalk, through and around the campus. It began with a nice and easy, gradual downhill. The race became challenging, however, when each runner approached the ever-so-daunting Chapel Hill before turning left and heading back to Bobs for another three laps.
Some athletes hit a sprint finish, some did not finish, and a few (including myself) found themselves begging for mercy at the hands of Chapel Hill. This 5K brought a lot of students together to compete, exercise, and enjoy a Saturday morning outside.
To raise money for charity, students paid a registration fee, and they could also purchase a post-5K meal from the Colby Food Truck. The 80 students who dashed and dined contributed to a significant financial gain. No doubt, this entire event had a tremendous impact.
Student Government Chair Andrew Medeiros `29 is on a mission to organize meaningful events that bring the College’s community together. At the same time, he is working to bridge the gap between Mayflower Hill and Waterville. He selected EduCare of Central Maine as the 5K charity to do just that.
“EduCare of Central Maine is a daycare in Waterville providing subsidized childcare for most of the students,” Medeiros said.
This organization provides childcare and preschool options to families with kids aged five and under who are unable to easily access high quality early learning.
The money is going to help many local children get beneficial, impactful educations, which will inform the rest of their life. The proceeds will also help the charity provide nutritional breakfasts and lunches to every student.
EduCare of Central Maine also helps out parents facing financial barriers. “They offer resources to help parents find jobs as soon as their child is enrolled,” Medeiros said. The charity is strongly committed to contributing wholeheartedly to children’s lives, both at school and at home.
This is not the first time this year that the Colby Student Government Association has held a community service event. This year, they have also organized a food drive for the local Waterville food bank. Because of a 5K’s ability to get students outside, build new relationships, and provide a social impact, this is not the last race to be run.
“I think we learned a lot from our first race, and we can expect more of them on campus soon,” Medeiros said.
Whether it is focusing on community impact, building a fast student body, or creating gritty 5K courses, SGA is setting the pace.
~ Dallas Watson `28
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