May 18, 2004
FAIRFAX, VA (May 18, 2004)--The sixth annual Patriot Anti-Violence Education (PAVE) 5-kilometer Fun Run/Walk run was a big success, raising more than $14,000 for the Aimee Willard Endowment Scholarship Fund.
The event, held on April 25th on George Mason University's Fairfax campus, attracted 250 runners from the George Mason Intercollegiate Athletics Department and the neighboring community. The race consisted of two laps around Patriot Circle on the George Mason campus, with the finish line at the Patriot Center.
The PAVE 5K Fun Run/Walk is sponsored by the George Mason Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and it raises money for non-violence education while helping to bring the community together in support of victims' rights. Funds raised go to the Aimee Willard Endowment Scholarship Fund, which honors the memory of a former Patriot student-athlete. The goal of $100,000 was eclipsed for the Aimee Willard Scholarship Fund over the six years of the event.
Willard was a two-sport athlete at George Mason, playing soccer and lacrosse. She was a member of Mason's 1993 women's soccer team that was the NCAA Division I runner-up, and she was an All-Colonial Athletic Association and regional All-America selection in women's lacrosse in 1996. In June 1996, while home during summer break, the 22-year-old Willard was abducted, raped and murdered in Philadelphia, PA. Arthur Bomar Jr. was convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.
U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) was one of several sponsors for the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on Oct. 28, 2000. It has popularly become known as "Aimee's Law."
Laurie Markon, an advocate with the Alexandria (VA) Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit, was a keynote speaker for the second straight year. Her organization and the George Mason Sexual Assault Services Victims Rights Fund each received donations of $250. The Patriot lacrosse team also received an award as the George Mason team raising the most money with more than $1,000 raised.
Other speakers included George Mason University President Dr. Alan Merten and Congressman Tom Davis. Gail Willard, Aimee's mother, was unable to attend. Mason soccer player Dianna Russini served as the emcee.
Sponsors for the event included the George Mason Intercollegiate Athletics Department and Patriot Club, The Connection Newspapers, Van Metre Homes, Subway, Panera Bread, GMU Catholic Campus Ministries, Domino's Pizza, Dixie Sporting Goods, and Greg Cox (friend and fan of George Mason women's basketball).
