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5TH ANNUAL BEE POSITIVE FUN RUN
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Cathie Bernardi and friends team up to fundraise for the 5th annual Kayla Bernardi Bee Positive 5K Fun Walk/Run on Saturday (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

Community members gathered at Joe Debely Field on Saturday to show their best “Kayla” spirit in the 5th annual Bee Positive Fun Run/Walk.

The event was started by Joe and Cathie Bernardi in honor of their daughter Kayla, a graduate of Turlock High School who passed away after her battle with leukemia in 2015. Kayla would have celebrated her 25th birthday on Friday. The theme of the fun run is a tribute to Kayla’s positive spirit, with funds raised going to multiple nonprofit organizations in the community.

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Stan State's Titus, Eboni Boone, Cecilia Castaneda and Victoria Sandoval show support for the Bee Positive run (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

“It continues to keep Kayla’s spirit alive and our community is gracious in rallying around us and supporting the event,” said Cathie Bernardi.

Over 450 community members participated in Saturday’s run/walk, which raised over $25,000.

The Kayla Bernardi Bee Positive Foundation has given funds for multiple high school scholarships over the years and made donations to Jessica’s House, Camp Taylor, Challenge Athletics and Valley Children’s Hospital’s Modesto clinic, to name a few.

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Todd Wright and Rufus Keaton celebrate as they are close to completing the fun run on Saturday (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

“The energy the community gives me, you can’t quantify it… we’ll continue to celebrate our sassy girl with the run and the support of the community,” said Cathie Bernardi.