BLACKFOOT — The Bingham Crisis Center is lacing up for its fourth annual Color Fun Run, set for July 17 at Jensen Grove Pavilion in Blackfoot, and organizers say the event is about more than just a good time.

Participants can walk, jog or run through a series of color stations sponsored by local businesses, with the added bonus of spraying color themselves.

Registration opens at 5 p.m. and the run kicks off at 6 p.m. Those who want to jump in at the last minute can register at the door for $15 per person, but those who plan ahead will pay less and potentially walk away with more.

Pre-registration is $10 per person or $50 for a group of 6 to 12 people. Children ages 4 to 15 are $5, and kids 3 and under are free. The first 100 participants to check in will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last.

The Color Fun Run grew out of a previous fundraiser, the Choose Respect 5K, which the center ran for several years before participation declined. A board member suggested trying a color run, and the format proved to be an immediate hit.

“We tried it, and it was a huge hit,” said Josephine Thyberg, executive director of the Bingham Crisis Center. “So we’ve just been doing it every year since then.”

Community fundraisers have long been a lifeline for the center. Thyberg said grants cover many core expenses but often fall short — restricted funding cannot always account for emergency needs, day-to-day supplies or the gaps that arise unexpectedly for clients.

“Grants are for certain things and certain areas,” Thyberg said. “These kinds of funds help us fill in the different gaps that may come up for a client.”

All proceeds from the Color Fun Run go directly to supporting local survivors. The center has served Bingham County since 1979, offering domestic violence and sexual assault services, counseling, shelter and court assistance. It also maintains a Community Closet stocked with clothing, shoes, bedding and household items — open to anyone in the community, not just survivors — along with a food pantry and hygiene products available on request.

Despite decades of service, Thyberg said awareness remains a challenge.

“Some people still don’t know we even exist,” she said.

The center describes the Color Fun Run as a true family affair, drawing participants ranging from young children to grandparents. Thyberg said the goal is straightforward.

“Just remembering how fun it is and they want to do it next year — that’s our goal,” she said.

Those seeking help or more information can call 208-785-1047 or reach the 24-hour crisis line at 208-681-8712. To donate or contribute, visit binghamcrisiscenter.org/contribute.