About 300 people gathered at the corner of North Atherton Street and White Course Drive in wind and sporadic rain yesterday to benefit victims of abuse in Centre County.

The Centre County Women's Resource Center (CCWRC) held its 6th Annual Steps to Safety 5K Walk/Run at the Penn State Blue and White golf courses yesterday afternoon.

"The first race was held because of a specific event of a woman assaulted on the golf course six years ago," said Carol Packard, board of directors member at large for CCWRC.

CCWRC is a non-profit organization that provides counseling, housing and education for victims of domestic and sexual violence, according to ccwrc.org. It helped more than 1,500 victims in Centre County last year, the Web site said.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, more than 5.3 million incidents of intimate partner violence occur each year among U.S. women.

"The race is very important because it puts the word out there that sexual and domestic violence occur on a daily basis in this area," Packard said.

The event provides funding for the CCWRC and drew more than 15 sponsors from around the community, Packard said.

"University Health Services decided to help sponsor the 5K because they believe that the resource center does a huge amount for Penn State students," Ellen Nagy, marketing manager of University Health Services (UHS), said. "They've worked hand-in-hand many times together for the common good."

Rapid Transit Sports, 115 S. Allen St., also sponsored the race.

"It's important to keep people running and healthy," Jason Sincavage, assistant manager at Rapid Transit Sports, said. "It's important to be involved in such an event because it helps to raise awareness for the Women's Resource Center."

Many of the participants were Penn State and State College Area High School students.

"I heard about [the race] in class and I think it's really important to support the cause," Rachel Samuels (sophomore-political science) said. "It's so easy to go out and walk the race and donate money for a good organization. It's only a couple of hours."

Dan Petrick, a student at State College Area High School, said he participated for several reasons.

"I think it's a good cause," he said. "My mom's really big on it and donated a lot of money. I also get community service hours, so it's a win-win situation."

Hagy said many UHS staff members would be participating.

Susan Ferchalk, a Penn State staff assistant, was at the race to support a student.

"One of my students is very active," she said. "She got the message out, and I wanted to come out and show my support for a great organization."

Packard stressed how important it was that community members, as well as Penn State students and employees, participated to help the resource center.

"Penn State is an enormous partner of the community," Packard said. "They have a long history of helping and raising awareness. It's great to show support for something locally."