5k supports students through scholarship fund

The 7th annual Harlan and Rita Temple Scholarship Fundraiser 5k is this Saturday and benefits many students.

Wade Robinson, graduate student for the occupational therapy program and liaison to the South Dakota Occupational Therapy Association said The Harlan and Rita Temple Scholarship Fundraiser was started by Harlan Temple.

“Harlan Temple is a man that lives in Lennox and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age. He’s a farmer, he had an insurance company (he’s very) successful,” Robinson said. “He benefitted a lot from the occupational therapy that he gone through over the course of his life, that’s why he put together this scholarship fund initially.”

Robinson said he ran the 5k last year and he also obtained 29 sponsors for the event this year.

Registration is $20 and can be completed online throughout the week and on Saturday morning at the Prentis Park Southern Pavilion. Funds raised go towards the Harlan and Rita Temple Scholarship Fund.

Breakfast will be provided afterward.

The community should engage in this 5k Robinson said.

“The program is a good cause in my opinion because it enables people to participate in meaningful activities so furthering that is beneficial I think but then also last year was the first 5k I’ve ever competed in,” Robinson said. “A 5k I think by itself sounds kind of daunting but it’s only like 3.1 miles and there are a lot of people that walk it, Harlan himself completes it in his motorized wheelchair.”