The Gwynedd Mercy University 5K Color Run took place on Saturday, October 4, and brought together 73 runners and walkers for a morning filled with purpose and community spirit.

The event raised more than $1,700 for GMercyU’s Public Health Department to help fund a service trip to Jamaica supporting Mustard Seed Communities, a nonprofit organization founded in Jamaica in 1978 that provides lifelong care, housing, and education for children and adults with disabilities, young mothers, and children affected by HIV.

Dr. Sharla Willis, founding program director and assistant professor of Public Health at Gwynedd Mercy University, explains how the Color Run reflects the department’s commitment to service learning, leadership, and global outreach. According to Mustard Seed Communities, their Jamaica location currently supports over four hundred forty individuals across twelve homes, creating lasting opportunities for education, wellness, and independence.