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Stepping Up for First Responders

EAST STROUDSBURG — First responders are usually the ones running to help those in need. But on Thursday, the roles were reversed as hundreds of people ran...
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EAST STROUDSBURG -- First responders are usually the ones running to help those in need. But on Thursday, the roles were reversed as hundreds of people ran to help first responders in Monroe County.

Runners at a 5k in East Stroudsburg are running toward a goal: to raise money for first responders fighting for their lives and for the families of first responders who have lost that battle.

Almost two weeks ago 22-year-old EMT, Samantha Agins from Monroe County died from a series of strokes while trying to save the life of someone else.

"We've got a lot of support and a lot of friends and families around us and it keeps us going," her father Bruce Agins said.

He and his family wore Samantha's favorite color, purple and ran this 5k in her honor.

They join hundreds of runners. Families like theirs will benefit from money raised at this race. That includes the family of Officer Ruben Torres with the Stroud Regional Police Department, who lost his battle with cancer and left behind his wife Joanne, who is raising their 11 children.

"I can't really think too much, I have to keep moving. If I stop too long then I think too much and it gets a little scary, you know, because he was our rock," Joanne Torres said.

Many in this 5k say it's only fitting they run to help first responders and their families because usually it's first responders running to help them.

"Seeing this turnout and seeing all these people come out for our first responders and witnessing how much they love them is very important to us," said Jonathan Burgard with True Glory CrossFit.

The money raised at this 5k will benefit six first responders and their families.

Samantha Agins' family will put it toward a scholarship fund in her honor. Ruben Torres' wife will use it to help raise their 11 children.

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