During the early morning of September 29, dozens of students across Fairfield University headed to the RecPlex to participate in Fairfield Social Work’s annual “Start With Hello” 5k run.
Start With Hello is a national nonprofit organization run by families who lost loved ones in the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy. The nonprofit encourages students to be kind to one another and hopes to combat social isolation.
The annual run is spearheaded by Dr. Kim Oliver, the head of Fairfield’s Bachelors of Social Work program, with the help of other Social Work faculty and students.
“The work that Sandy Hook Promise does is so important,” said Dr. Oliver. “We’re trying to build community here. Inclusion is so important and combating social isolation that can lead to gun violence is very important.”
During the week before the event, Social Work students were writing encouraging messages on sticky notes and placing them around campus to support Start With Hello’s mission.
First-Year Valery Villavicenio-Sanchez was one of the students who volunteered to help distribute sticky notes.
“I’m volunteering because I feel like when I give someone that sense of hope if they are having a bad day that it will help cheer them up and make campus a more positive place.”
“Whoever did the sticky notes. Thank you,” said one student. The post received almost 2,000 net upvotes.
Some students took to Fizz to comment on these sticky notes.
“I didn’t know how much I needed that,” another student replied.
The run took place at the end of the week in the Recplex basketball courts, with Social Work students arrived at 8:30 in the morning to set up. Junior Mary Rado helped run the raffle table.
“I didn’t mind the early wake up on a Sunday because it’s for such a great cause. I loved seeing how many people came to support Start With Hello and donate,” said Rado.
Before the run, there was the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win either one of three gift baskets, a $50 gift card to Saugatuck Sweets or a $25 gift card to Firehouse Deli.
Two years ago, donations were given to the Sandy Hook Promise directly. This year all donations were given to a local school that is using the money to initiate their own Start With Hello program. Organizers were not able to specifically tell The Rearview the name of the school where the money will go.
“Two years ago, we decided that whatever money we’re going to bring in, we could throw it into Sandy Hook Promise’s pot, and they will do a lot of good with it. But in talking with students, we decided that what we wanted to do was give the money to a middle school or high school that needed money to institute a Start With Hello program,” said Dr. Oliver.
Students could either run or walk the loop around campus, passing the townhouses, Rafferty Stadium, the Quad and Dolan Hall.
“I’m participating because I’m from Milford, CT,” said Hannah Salsbury ‘27, “So Newtown is close to home for me. I think it’s for a really great cause.”
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred in Newtown, CT, 40 minutes from Fairfield.
Students from all years participated to support the cause, from sports teams to students who were directly impacted by gun violence.
“I feel really strongly about this organization because I have family and friends who have been impacted by gun violence,” said Cara Mia Oliveria ‘27 on why she participated in the 5k.
Town residents were also encouraged to participate and donate, including Bill Gerber, the first selectman of Fairfield.
Gerber attended because he believes that mental health continues to be stigmatized.
“We have a big problem across the country of young people feeling isolated, anxious and depressed, and it’s very hard to find proper treatment for mental health problems these days.”
Gerber also emphasized the need to frequently engage in mental health conversations, not just when national tragedies occur. .
“Our healthcare system is not very friendly toward mental illness,” said the First-Selectman. “I’m really concerned that we talk a lot about mental health issues, and every time there’s a school shooting we discuss the importance of mental health, but I feel like some of it is just talk.”
By the end of Sunday, the organizers had reported raising over $1,500 in donations.