Double-C Girl Scouts hold color run in South Park

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Many runners shrieked with delight as they were hit with bursts of colorful dust at Saturday’s 3k color fun run held by the Double-C Girl Scouts of Copperas Cove at South Park. 
Participants walked or ran twice around the park, pausing at the color stations as volunteers doused them in the colors of the rainbow.
“It’s fun,” said Stephanie Benger (13). Benger helped man one of the color/refreshing stations. “We get to spray people,” said Benger with a grin as she wielded her bottle of colored powder.
Participants in the 3k received a goodie bag and a t-shirt. In addition to the run, they also had booths selling goodies and a chance to bid in a silent auction filled with fun donated items like an American Girl Doll.
“It’s lots of fun,” said Jessica Raines, a nurse for the scouts. “It’s a great day for it.”
“It’s wonderful, and it’s really nice that [the girl scouts] get to help put it together. They get to be a part of the community. And, in the long run, it helps them to give back,” said Brandi Benger. “It teaches them community support, leadership skills, and self-esteem.”
Money raised at the event will go toward taking the entire Girl Scout unit, approximately 135 people which includes 92 Girl Scouts, to Walt Disney World for five nights so that the girls can participate in their STEM program.
Crystal Antoine, service unit director, was in charge of the 3k. She said that the girls have been working hard and have raised about $90,000 in the 10 months they have been fundraising. 
Antoine said while at Disney World, the girls will be learning about science, math, technology, branding, and more. The youngest scouts will learn things like building roller coasters, the middle group will learn about Newton’s law in relation to roller coasters, and the oldest group will learn things like the evolution of technology, branding, and how to protect the environment and wildlife.
“Disney just as a brand is an amazing company. When you take a mouse and turn it into a multibillion-dollar corporation, that’s something that we absolutely want our girls to learn,” said Antoine. 
Antoine added that the community and local businesses have been very helpful in helping to make their events as successful as they have been.
“The community has been amazing,” said Antoine. “We are very lucky to have the community that we have in Copperas Cove.”
It wasn’t just the Girl Scouts and their families that participated in the run, many Boy Scouts and other members of the community also supported the event. Several businesses also donated money or items to the event including Donlie McMullin Realty, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Anytime Fitness, Total Wine & More, Nails by Sandy, Raising Cane’s, Bulldog Auto Detailing, and more.
Overall, participants said they had a great time.
“I think it’s great exercise,” said Jeremiah Lopez (12). Lopez said his favorite part was running through the colors.
“It was the perfect weather and time too,” said Devyn Antoine (13) who added that he tried not to get hit by the colored powder. “I was trying to avoid getting dirty.”