There were high-fives all around at the Way of Life Facility basketball court on June 27, as approximately 100 youth from the Red Mountain Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale engaged in two hours of running and agility activities with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members, partners and neighbors.

Demonstrating the event’s theme, “We Run Together,” the kids ran back and forth on the court at varying distances to touch hands with officers from the Salt River Police Department and SRPMIC Health and Human Services staff, who were there to cheer on the kids.

Certified running coach Nycole Leyba, who organized the event, has provided this event, as well as “We Run Mesa,” voluntarily to the Mesa community and Mesa Public Schools since 2019.

Red Mountain Branch Supervisor Angela DiCicco thought the event went well and said the kids seemed to have a lot of fun.

“The goal of the event was to get our kids moving and exercising in a fun way while making positive connections with adults from the community,” said DiCicco.

The kids listened to an inspiring talk by Denzel Burrell, associate director of academics for ASU Athletics, and each took home a $50 gift certificate to Bobby Q’s Restaurant, donated by the Del Rio family, the restaurant’s owners.

Becky Osborne, manager of the Sprouts grocery store at Recker and Loop 202 in Mesa, donated fresh fruit for the kids to enjoy along with the popsicles they received.

The following Community partners also helped out with the event: John Pombier, senior manager of community engagement for Amazon; Renee Parker, director of community partnerships for Mesa Public Schools; Mesa Police Department Commander and Liaison for the Native American Community Stephanie Derivan; Community member and retired nurse Sue Ganter; Frankie Jo Rios, president/CEO of the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Amanda Ludlum, community outreach officer for Cookie Co. in the East Valley; Rebecca Osborne, forensic scientist with the City of Mesa Crime Lab; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah White; Community leader and consultant analyst Dina DeLeon; and Mario Solorzano, community leader and member of the East Valley Chamber of Commerce.