WESTBROOK — Runners, walkers, children, and dogs are all invited to shine a light on domestic abuse on Saturday, July 13, in Westbrook.

The statewide domestic abuse awareness group Finding Our Voices is the special beneficiary of the 11th annual WestbrookStrong 5k in addition to WS5K’s already established Matthew Rairdon’s scholarship funds at Saint Joseph’s College and local schools. The race starts at 8 a.m. at Riverbank Park.
 
The race event was started by Gary and Laurie Rairdon in 2013 to commemorate their son Matthew Rairdon, who was killed by an ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide when he was 22 years old. Matthew was an emergency room nurse who was credited with saving the life of a patient days before his murder. He had just graduated from St. Joseph’s College, and proceeds from the event also fund two nursing scholarships to that school. 
 
Race participants are encouraged to join the Finding Our Voices 5k Team and wear the nonprofit’s signature color of yellow. 
 
"That this race is going strong 11 years later is a testament to the light and love that Matthew brought to the world,” said Patrisha McLean, CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices and a survivor of 29 years of domestic abuse, in a news release. “He was a star theater actor at Westbrook High School, and was overheard at work saying ‘No one loves life more than me.’

His dad, Gary, is a city councilman.

“This event broadcasts that domestic abuse can happen to anyone, and is everywhere,” said McLean. “The first step to solving any problem is to shine a light on it and that is what every person who participates in the July 13 event will be doing. I commend Laurie and Gary Rairdon for bringing public light out of unfathomable personal darkness, and Finding Our Voices is beyond honored to be associated with their family and this race."

Tickets are $30.

The children’s sprint “Matt’s Mile” starts at 7:30 a.m., and special dog bandanas will also be available at that time.

For more information about the event or to sign up including joining the Finding Our Voices team, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Westbrook/WestbrookStrong5KandMattsMileKidsFunRun
 
Finding Our Voices is bringing a survivor-led panel presentation about domestic abuse to the Westbrook Community Center on September 16 as part of the group's 2024 15-stop “Let’s Talk About It Tour”. 

 
Finding Our Voices is the survivor-powered nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse one community and conversation at a time across Maine. It’s trademark awareness campaign is posters featuring the photo portraits of 45 Maine survivors aged 18 to 83 and including Governor Janet T. Mills, now in downtown business windows and public bathrooms of 100 towns including Westbrook. The group’s innovative sister-support programs including a Get Out Stay Out Fund, access to free dental care, and online weekly support groups. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net