Social and Human Services 5K at PHSC North Campus
The phrase “Please help us help others” is the tagline behind the Social and Human Services 5K, set to take place on the North Campus of Pasco Hernando State College, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville, on Sunday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m.-noon.
The Social & Human Services Club at Pasco-Hernando State College in Brooksville invites the public to participate in this fun, sporty event, which benefits the efforts of the PHSC Social & Human Services Students—who, aside from being devoted academicians, are a dedicated group of volunteers who perform many good works for the community.
“We’ve been hosting the Human Services 5K since 2017 here at PHSC,” said Eddie Williams, Associate Professor and Human Services Program Director. “It was originally a fundraiser for NAMI Hernando. Now, the 5K benefits our Human Services Club and all that they do for the community.”
Most recently, the club hosted its Family Egg Hunt at PHSC, and it has also prepared Easter baskets for children at homeless shelters and those served by agencies such as People Helping People and the Boys and Girls Club.
“These kids put together 200 Easter baskets filled with 2,000 eggs,” said Williams. These students also devote time, money, goods and energy to a whole host of nonprofit help agencies, including local shelters, the Dawn Center, the Boys and Girls Club, People Helping People, Feeding Tampa Bay mobile food pantries, and others. As they prepare meals, fill toiletry bags and give of themselves to those in need, these students are treating the county as their classroom, learning the skills and showing the compassion that will best prepare them for their future careers as social workers, psychologists, counselors, sociologists, and more.
Events like the Human Services 5K support the efforts and endeavors of these hardworking pupils.
“Last year, this event generated about $800,” said Williams, “We had 65 people participating.”
Aside from supporting a worthy cause, runners will derive many benefits from their participation in the Human Services 5K. “The race gives competitors a chance to network and to spread the word about their organizations and companies,” said Williams. “This is also an athletic event that promotes fitness and health.”
Furthermore, this event comes complete with trophies, medals, gift certificates and awards for winners and participants.
The true winners of the Social and Human Services 5K, according to Williams, are the students who are getting the help they need so they can help others.
“A lot of our human services students sign up to run in the 5K,” he said. “And they volunteer to help register racers, to operate the water station, and to motivate participants. Of course, they volunteer.”
To register for the Social and Human Services 5K, visit https://www.active.com/brooksville-fl/running/social-and-human-services-5k-2024. Adult runners and walkers pay $25; student runners and walkers pay $15; and kids walk and run free.
