Hundreds of people did not let the rain dampen their fun at this year's Chester County Color 5K, held in Exton Park on Oct. 7. Individuals and families of all ages ran, walked and cheered on participants at the seventh annual event.

The event, initiated by Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline in 2016, raises funds to combat the opioid and heroin crisis in Chester County. Over six years, the Color 5K raised more than $200,000 for the county's Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) program that is supporting many aspects of substance use disorder, including focusing on the warm hand-off to treatment for those suffering from the disease of addiction.

More than $110,000 is predicted to be added to that total this year, thanks to generous sponsorship support, led by the Color 5K presenting sponsor John R. Gailey III and JoEllen Berger Charitable Fund.

The COPE program provides 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week emergency room support for overdose survivors and their families at all hospitals in Chester County. The program also provides overdose prevention information and outreach to first responders, hospital staff, family members and friends. Importantly, COPE provides expedited admission into detox and a review of all treatment options for overdose survivors who agree to treatment.

Many organizations that support drug and alcohol information and recovery services in Chester County set up displays in Exton Park and offered information and advice.

Color blasters heralded the start of the Chester County Color 5K and color stations along the route doused participants with brightly colored cornstarch.