EAST LANSING - On Sunday, April 17, the MSU Safe Place hosted the "Race for the Place" event to help raise money to bring awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault.

According to Director Holly Rosen, they were expecting 650-850 attendees because of the weather.

"The event is held every April and it's important because it helps raise money to provide awareness," said Rosen. "We have a race committee and we start planning in October."

One of the projects called the clothesline project was on display at the event.

"The clothesline project is a project from survivors who painted or decorated shirts based on the type of abuse they have experienced," said Rosen.

Deborah Walker was a first time volunteer.

"I volunteer because I actually like helping out the community," said Walker.

Her task for the day was blocking off traffic to keep the runners safe.

She also said she thinks the event is a way for people to exercise their togetherness.

One participant in the race, Abigail Johnson said the race was important because domestic violence is a cause that a lot of people are not comfortable talking about and MSU Safe Place is a campus resource that's really important and that a lot of people can use.

"It's really great. It's really powerful. It's a good mix of fun and serious," said Johnson.