The Center Moriches Union Free School District kicked off the third annual Using Our Voices Mental Health Run Series on Saturday, March 15. The student-led 5K series is inspired by P.S. I Love You Day and aims to spread awareness for mental health by promoting the positive coping skills of movement and community support. This year’s theme, “Choosing to Include,” marked a milestone; the event was unified for the first time, inviting individuals with and without disabilities to participate together.

The event—which was led by Center Moriches high schoolers junior race directors Gabby DeAngelis, Austin Faller, Meghan Harker, and Makayla Walsh—was entirely student-run. Students took over the responsibilities of planning, promoting, and acquiring the necessary permits for the run while also recruiting sponsors, such as the Kiwanis Club of Patchogue and community donors; covering race costs for children and students across Long Island; providing food for the event; and contributing to a scholarship fund.

Organizations such as P.S. I Love You Day, the Christopher Coluccio Foundation, the Neighborhood House, and Suffolk Response had vendor tables at the event, providing mental health resources for attendees. Featured speakers included P.S. I Love You Day founders Brooke DiPalma and Jaimie DiPalma and Special Olympics Unified student directors Erin Baldock and Casey Ennis.

"The Using Our Voices Mental Health Run Series is always a highlight of the year, but this year’s event was particularly meaningful as it brought the entire community together in a way we’ve never seen before," said Center Moriches High School Assistant Principal and race director Katy Forman. "This year, we made it a unified event, inspired by our incredible teachers who advocate for inclusion within the district and our partnership with the Sayville Running Company. Seeing runners of all abilities cross the same finish line, supporting one another, and embracing the event’s mission by using exercise and helping others to combat the mental health pandemic was incredibly powerful. The junior race directors worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success, and I am so proud of them all. We are also incredibly thankful for all the sponsors and mental health vendors who make this such an impactful event for so many."


The 2025 event attracted more than 300 runners. The next 5K in the series will be hosted by Patchogue-Medford on April 6, followed by Connetquot and North Babylon. Organizers hope to surpass last year’s fundraising total of more than $22,000 for mental health organizations.