Colors for CASA 5K draws crowd of about 130 to raise awareness about child neglect and abuse

Junior Kailee Olson’s aunt was a foster parent. She would meet many children, but would never see them again once they moved on — always a bittersweet moment for her.

As a way to help kids like the ones her aunt helped, Olson decided to participate in the annual Colors for CASA 5K Run/Walk Saturday, which drew more than 130 University of South Dakota students and community members to the event held at St. Agnes Catholic School in Vermillion. All funds raised were donated to Court Appointed Special Advocates.

For Olson, running in the race was her way of giving back to the community and acknowledging that child abuse and neglect is a problem in society.

“It’s a cause a lot of people don’t even consider,” Olson said. “Everyone knows about diseases and things like that, but this is something that goes unnoticed.”

A non-profit organization, CASA focuses on helping abused and neglected children make their way through the court system by ensuring they have necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.

Recognizing exercise can be mundane, but USD’s Kappa Alpha Theta found a way to make exercise fun while raising money for a good cause by adding some splashes of color to the usual marathon running gear.

Junior Kathleen Serie headed the planning of the color run for her sorority.

“It’s taking exercise and bumping it up a notch,” Serie said.

Participants ran or walked through the streets of Vermillion and had various colors of powder thrown at them as they raced toward the finish line.

“It’s prompting a healthy lifestyle, and at the same time they get the color, so it’s fun and they get to support the kids so it’s a good cause,” Serie said.

Sophomore Ashlyn Pudenz assisted Serie in organizing and preparing for the event.

“I really like philanthropy and volunteering in general,” Pudenz said. “I just wanted to help a sister.”

Serie said many children are affected by child abuse and neglect and are constantly moving between foster homes.

“It’s a way bigger problem than a lot of people think it is, and CASA is there to advocate for them and make sure they have a voice and aren’t falling through the cracks,” Serie said. “I am just so humbled we get to be a part of it.”

For Pudenz, the work she and other members put into the event was all for one common goal.

“It’s all for the kids,” she said.

(Participants in the Colors for CASA event get a running start Saturday morning. About 130 runners and walkers participated in the annual philanthropy event. Anna Glenski / The Volante)