SOAP LAKE — On Saturday, a 2K and 5K fun run was held at Smokiam Park in Soap Lake. The fundraiser event was aimed at raising more awareness around Veterans Day, said event organizer Britton Baker.  

“I would say it was a success,” Britton said. “We also got a lot of connections between different people, I'm in the community, that were at the race, and so we got the talk in, and it definitely is going to open some doors for some future events.”  

Britton said 10 runners turned out for the event. By the end of the day, he raised $200 for the Forward Operating Base Columbia organization, or FOB Columbia: Veteran Resources. They work to fill gaps for local veterans and help them build better lives after their service.   

Though he wished the turnout were a little bigger, he said the smaller turnout made for more personal interactions for those in attendance. Britton said about half of the attendees were veterans. He met people from the local Chamber of Commerce and Soap Lake Prevention Coalition. A couple of runners were from Quincy and Cashmere, too.   

“We were able to have a little bit more intimate conversation,” he said. “I had a gentleman from there show up as well and wants to work together in the future as well for another event. It definitely was a fundraising event, but also a networking event for future events as well.”  

Britton said some community members showed up throughout the race just to donate because they heard the event was happening. The community engagement left Britton with a feeling of optimism about organizing future events.   

“It really showed me that this is something people really care about, and when given the opportunity, people will step up ... it was a really good feeling,” Britton said.   

Britton said he would like to make this an annual event going forward and expand it to draw more engagement from the community. This was the first time he had organized a community event like this. Some of the people he met at this event offered to help him promote it in the future and help in any way they could.   

“They all said they'd love to come back and to let them know when, and they'd love to help market it and spread the word in their area,” he said.   

Britton said he was inspired to organize this event because of his brother, Bronson Baker’s, service in the Navy. They were always close growing up and spent a lot of time together. However, a time came when Bronson enlisted in the Navy and left home for four years. Britton said he had a realization that gave him a new appreciation.   

“It's a big hit to realize that someone from your family can be gone for quite a while serving our country and but when you look at the purpose and why they're doing it, it all makes sense and it's worth it. You realize these people are sacrificing their time away from their loved ones, away from their families, to make sure that we're able to live the lives that we want here,” Britton said.   

Bronson now serves as a firefighter in Idaho, Britton said. As he began to interact more with members of the veteran community, he heard stories of how they struggle when they return home from their service. He learned more about the mental and financial struggles they face when they return home.   

He believes they are more deserving than a day of recognition for their service, he said.   

“They did the job for us, now we need to do something for them,” Britton said. “You hear story after story, and after a while, you just say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Something has to change. We got to do something here.”   

Britton said he plans to hold a similar event in the spring that includes vendors from veteran-owned businesses and another fun run. He also plans to incorporate more personal stories from veterans who are willing to share them in the hopes of making people more aware of who served their community.   

“I don't think many people know who they are or where they served, or what they did. I want to get their stories out there so we can recognize these people for the good deeds that they did for us,” Britton said. 

Britton said that for anyone still interested in donating, they can find a link on the event page he created on Facebook called the Soap Lake Salutes 2K/5K Fun Run.   

    Two runners hold up their American flags at the Soap Lake Salutes Fun Run. Event organizer Britton Baker said 10 runners attended the event on Saturday.
  

    Britton Baker, left in green, speaks to attendees of the Soap Lake Salutes Fun Run on Saturday. Baker said he plans to hold this event annually and expand it to draw more attendees in the future.
  

    Britton Baker speaks to the runners of the Soap Lake Salutes Fun Run before the race. Baker said he met a lot of people who are interested in helping organize this event in the future.