Colorful 5k fundraiser
Published 3:22 pm Monday, April 14, 2025
Chrystal Pace gets a dusting of orange powder as she makes her way around the historic area at Fort Stevens State Park.
Participants at the 2025 Color the Coast 5K Fun Run make their way around a loop at the Fort Stevens State Park historic area on Saturday, April 12. April is Autism Awareness Month and the event was a fundraiser for both First Steps Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Autism Society of Oregon.
Seamus Caffrey sprays a fun run participant with green powder on Saturday, April 12.
Elliott Dickerson closes his eyes as a volunteer sprays him with colored powder during Color the Coast.
The annual Color the Coast 5K Fun Run made an appearance at Fort Stevens State Park on Saturday.
The fun run was organized by First Steps Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Autism Society of Oregon. The 11th year of Color the Coast brought over 250 participants to join in the 5K. Runners ran in loops around the historic area at Fort Stevens State park, and volunteers were stationed around the loop with colored powders to coat the runners as they went by.
The fundraiser also featured booths with an array of resources for families. For the first time, this event was free to attend thanks to a sponsor.
Executive director of First Steps Brandi Lindstrom said the funds raised from the event will be split between her organization and the Autism Society of Oregon.
“April is Autism Acceptance Month, and so the importance of doing this is to bring community together,” Lindstrom said. “Let everyone know that they’re not alone and build a community of people who get it.”