AMERICAN FALLS — Families throughout the American Falls community are invited to take part in the second annual Sources of Strength 5K Color Run on Sept. 12 at William Thomas Middle School, School, 355 Bannock Ave.

The free, family-friendly event will run from 8 a.m. to noon and is designed to bring students, families and community members together for a morning focused on fun, wellness, connection and resilience.

Race check-in will begin at 8 a.m., with the first race wave scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to check in, get settled and be ready to kick off the morning together.

William Thomas Middle School Community School Coordinator Angela Warth, WTMS School Counselor Tiffany Held, and American Falls High School seniors Payton Andersen and Kaylee Neibaur are key organizers behind this year’s event. Andersen and Neibaur are using the Sources of Strength 5K Color Run as their senior project, giving them an opportunity to take an active role in planning and creating a positive event for their school and community.

Warth said the event is about much more than completing a 5K.

“We want this to be an event where families can come together, have fun and learn more about the different sources of strength we all have in our lives,” Warth said. “You don’t have to be a runner. We want walkers, children, parents, grandparents and anyone else in our community to come participate.”

The color run will include eight interactive activity stations along the course. Each station will highlight one of the eight sources of strength: mental health, family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality and physical health.

“At each station, we want people to think about the different people, activities and strengths they can turn to when life gets difficult,” Warth said. “Everyone needs support, and sources of strength helps remind us that there are many different ways we can build resilience and stay connected.”

Following the 5K, participants can visit a community resource fair featuring local organizations and resources available to support children and families. The event will also include refreshments, raffle prizes, yard games, music and other family activities.

Food trucks will also be available, and local students will have handmade crafts for sale that they created as healthy coping activities and creative outlets.

Warth said one of the goals is to make conversations about mental health and emotional well-being positive and approachable for families.

“Sometimes when we talk about mental health, people automatically think the conversation has to be about something negative or a crisis,” Warth said. “Sources of Strength really turns that around. It asks us to recognize the good things and good people already in our lives and then strengthen those connections.”

The event also fits closely with American Falls School District’s broader emphasis this year on helping students and families spend more time connecting with one another.

“We want kids to have healthy activities, positive friends, supportive families and adults they know they can turn to,” Warth said. “A morning like this gives families an opportunity to put the screens away for a while, get outside, move together, laugh together and just enjoy being with each other.”

And if running isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of ways to be part of the fun. Community members are invited to volunteer and help make the Sources of Strength 5K Color Run a success. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including event setup, registration and check-in, route safety, color stations, the finish line, water and refreshments, and cleanup.

“We would love your help making this year’s event a success,” Warth said. “There are several volunteer opportunities available, and we’d be grateful for any time you can give. You don’t have to run to be part of this event.”

Those interested in volunteering can sign up through the event’s Volunteer Sign-Up at tinyurl.com/2ryhkyth. Whether you can help for the entire morning or just have a little time to give, community volunteers play an important role in making this a fun and memorable experience for everyone.

Participation in the 5K Color Run is free and open to all ages.

Warth said families should not be intimidated by the 5K distance.

“This is truly a family fun run,” she said. “Come at your own pace, enjoy the color stations and activities, and make it something your family does together. We would love to see a huge part of our community there.”

Anyone with questions about the Sources of Strength 5K Color Run may contact Angela Warth, William Thomas Middle School community school coordinator, at William Thomas Middle School at 208-226-5203.