5K run/walk will honor crime victims

Remember crime victims and help make Polk County a safer, healthier place on April 29.

The National Crime Victims' Rights Week Benefit 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, April 29, in Water Works Park in Des Moines. This free event will include food trucks, music, entertainment for children, and a resource fair for survivors.

The event is sponsored by the Polk County Attorney’s Office, which served 7,606 crime victims in fiscal year 2021-22.

"During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, it's important to acknowledge the grief and trauma that victims and their families, and our entire community, experience," said Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham. "Our shared grief becomes a little lighter to carry when we all come together to support each other."

Graham encouraged people to come out to learn how community groups support survivors, including those organizations that provide culturally specific advocacy services.

Groups participating include Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Blank Children’s STAR Child Center, Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center, Children & Families of Iowa, Creative Visions, EMBARC (The Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center), the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, LUNA (Latina Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer), Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, Nisaa African Family Services, and Polk County Crisis and Advocacy.

“Our office’s mission is to promote a healthier, safer, and fairer Polk County, and this event fits perfectly with those goals,” Graham said.

Schedule of events:

9 a.m.: Packet pickup

10 a.m.: Kids fun run: ½ mile run for ages 5-12

10:30 a.m.: 5k for ages 13 and older

To register and/or make a donation, go here:

https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137847

Donations will go to one of the service providers participating in the event.

The 5K is part of local efforts to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 23-29. Other events include DMACC's National Crime Victims' Rights Week events and the Iowa Department of Corrections’ annual event.