With Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month both recognized in October, leaders at Williams, Yakeley and Gilchrist halls are eager to show their support.

Mentors, minority aides and other staff held a kickoff event at midnight Sunday for 31 Marathons in 31 Days, a fund-raiser sponsored by Residence Life.

Participants took the first steps toward their goal by walking or running 1 mile around West Circle Drive.

For the next 31 days, whenever they are walking or running on campus, they will keep a tally of the number of miles they covered - hopefully until they reach the equivalent of 31 marathons.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see if we can pull this off,” said Jason Leonard, an electrical engineering senior and mentor at Williams Hall. “We plan on walking and running over 800 miles.”

Grant Woodman, complex director for Williams, Yakeley and Gilchrist halls, said the money will be donated to MSU Safe Place and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The program was started three years ago and has been going strong since then, Woodman said.

“Three of my wife’s relatives died of breast cancer, and since then we have both been advocates of this cause,” he said. “Breast cancer affects everybody at some point and so does domestic violence.”

Brandi Purcell, a human biology senior and mentor at Yakeley Hall, said she’s confident the goal can be reached if there’s commitment.

“It’s for two good causes,” she said. “Many mentors and minority aids are participating, so it’s sort of a staff building event.”

Donations can be given to any Williams, Yakeley or Gilchrist mentor or the complex director. They may be a flat fee or made toward a specific mentor for every mile he or she walks or runs throughout the month.