Sue Kruczek 'Overwhelmed' by Large Turnout for Nick Kruczek Color Run/Walk

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

GUILFORD, CT – The heavy rain held off long enough Saturday morning for the several hundred to came out to participate in the Lifelinx/Day 5K Nick Kruczek Color Run/Walk to do so.

Several hundred, which included State Senator Ted Kennedy, and State Reps. Sean Scanlon and Vince Candelora, came to the Guilford Fairgrounds to join the event served as the kickoff event for Guilford’s DAY WEEK, a weeklong event conceived and organized by high school students to combat drug abuse.

Nick Kruczek died at age 20 of a drug overdose. His mother, Sue, has spent the past several years as one of the leading advocates pushing for more education and help for those who are fighting to beat heroin and opioid addiction.

Last year more than 900 people died in the state of Connecticut from drug overdoses.

Sue Kruczek said she was “overwhelmed” by the large turnout at Saturday’s event.

“Thank you so much to everybody that came to support,” said Sue Kruczek after the event. “Lots of fun and love.”

This year’s event itself was also dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Menzies Pageau, a longtime friend and supporter of Lifelinx. Organizers describe her as some who “always helped other people and was full of love.”

Guilford DAY (Developmental Assets for Youth), is a community coalition comprised of volunteers from the community, including parents, youth, law enforcement, leaders, who work to reduce high risk behaviors such as underage drinking and drug abuse among young people.

The organizers added: “This will be the kickoff event for Guilford’s DAY week, in which the color purple is used to symbolize youth sobriety. The youth use purple to visibly commit to living clean, and see that they are not alone, but that are in the majority.

“Adults use purple to demonstrate their support for Guilford’s youth and their values. Everyone commits to helping each other, especially those who need encouragement and recovery support.”

Photos by Jack Kramer/Patch