Sports
IAM Strong Foundation Holds 5K
Proving its "rain or shine" tagline, the 5K still was a strong community event.
With the gray skies misting above, Flahive Field at Westwood High School was ablaze with people with orange IAM Strong Foundation backsacks and team shirts on May 5. Many young people from the WHS class of 2019 wore #FinishStrong-themed shirts for the 5k.
A DJ played music while a booth sold IAM Strong Foundation merchandise, including Sisco+Berluti bracelets. Raffles and silent auctions were also held. A tent sold balloons for the planned balloon release.
AM Strong Foundation was founded in February of 2015 after the suicide of thirteen-year-old Isabelle Alexandra Medina (IAM) in September of 2014. Its mission statement is "The IAM Strong Foundation works to shatter the stigma associated with teen mental health issues, emphasizing the need to treat mental health issues no differently than physical health issues." The first 5K held by the foundation was in May 2015.
The IAM Strong Foundation 5K serves as their primary source of funding for the grants they distribute. Westwood, MA native Olivia Malcomson received funding for her RealTalkAdoption.com website through an IAM Strong Foundation grant.