SILVER SPRING, Md. 鈥� More than 130 people came together Sunday morning for the Discover Long Branch 5K, a fundraiser for the victims of the natural gas explosion and fire at .
鈥淭his is just another way to show support financially and also to physically come together as a community and do something together,鈥� said Jheanelle Wilkins.
The Long Branch Business League had initially had planned the race as a community event but decided after the tragedy to use it to raise money for the victims. 聽The blast killed seven people, injured 40 and displaced about 100 residents.
Wilkins said she had never participated in a five聽kilometer race before but said she she wanted to show support for the victims.
鈥淚 think that throughout this entire tragedy, what I鈥檝e really been able to see, felt like I鈥檝e been a part of, is wrapping our arms around our neighbors when they need it the most,鈥� Wilkins said.
John Angel, one of the event鈥檚 organizers, said the race raised $2,000 for the victims. Angel is member of the Long Branch Business League and is the general manager of El Gavilan Restaurant, which serves Salvadoran fare.
He said organizers will have nine months to prepare for next year鈥檚 event, which will 聽honor those who died in the explosion. Next year鈥檚 race also will be an official race 鈥� this year鈥檚 race was not timed.
