5,500 people raise money for domestic abuse victims

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Temperatures in the upper 30's, dense fog and even a little drizzle. Despite the rough running conditions, 5,500 people ran or walked in the ninth annual Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton.

Brian Nelson of Vernon, Connecticut told 22News this was his second year participating. He said, “It's just a really big crowd. There's not many races with 5,000 people in it.”

His sister Katherine Miller of Ellington, Connecticut said “It wasn't bad. It was cold when we first got here, but when I started running, I got comfortable.”

All the money raised through the Hot Chocolate Run benefits Safe Passage, a Hampshire County organization that runs an emergency shelter and offers counseling for women and children who are victims domestic abuse.

Waiting for all the runners at the finish line is a cup of hot chocolate, and many runners told 22News this is a fun, but meaningful fundraiser, and that's what brings them back year after year.

John Majolen of Guilford, Vermont told 22News “It's a pervasive problem. My wife actually works in social work, and she sees a lot of this, and I hear a lot of stories from her. You need to pour a lot of resources into it to combat it.”

David Rothstein of Northampton said “It's really just showing the support, and knowing for people who are in that situation that they have a community they can depend on. And for the young people to know that this is a real issue to keep an eye out for.”

Safe Passage receives more than 2,500 calls for help each year from domestic violence victims, and the Hot Chocolate Run is their biggest fundraising event.