Annual 5K Benefits Erin Olmsted Memorial Scholarship, Anti-Drunk Driving Efforts

Erin Olmsted was just 17 when her life was cut short by a drunken driver.

Now, her family — including her sister, Plainfield East High School teacher Kate Morris — is using their loss to save other lives, and to benefit students at Erin's high school. The seventh annual Erin's AAIM for Change 5K run/walk is set for Sunday, Sept. 15 in Orland Park.


Proceeds from the event will benefit the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) and the Erin E. Olmsted Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship money to graduating seniors at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. AAIM an Illinois-based non-profit organization supporting victims of drunk driving. 

For the fourth year, graduating students at Plainfield East will also win scholarships; last year, the fund contributed $4,000 to two PEHS grads.

Morris, an English teacher and student council adviser, has shared her sister's story with students, parents and other groups, pleading with them not to drink and drive. She tells the sad and sobering story of a man who was drinking and still decided to drive; that man killed her sister, Erin, just over 16 years ago.

Registration is now open for the 7th Annual Erin's AAIM for Change 5K, set for Sept. 15 at the Metra train station at 10401 W. 153rd St. in Orland Park. For more information or to register, click here.

Read about Erin's story, told by her mother, Sandy Olmsted, on her website.