BUTLER TWP — Before her life was taken, Sarah Kasunic gave back.

And with the help of people she touched, she will be giving back for years to come.

A Knoch High School and Butler County Community College graduate, Kasunic died March 23 as the result of an automobile accident in Tennessee. She was 23.

A month earlier, she set up a fund to help BC3's Phi Theta Kappa — a fraternity of which she was once president — members attend the national convention.

“She attended that convention herself in Washington D.C. ... it was called NerdNation ... and was touched so strongly by it that she wanted to make sure future BC3 students got the opportunity to make that trip,” her mother, Margaret Kasunic, said.

“That's just how Sarah was. She wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Sarah Kasunic was working as a traveling nurse in Knoxville at the time of her death. She had also started a scholarship fund to help BC3 nursing students with financial needs shortly before the accident.

The Sarah Kasunic Memorial 5K run/walk will take place Sept. 7 on the BC3 campus. All proceeds will go directly to the newly created Sarah Kasunic Scholarship to help support nursing education students.

“Our students feel a great connection with us here,” BC3 president Dr. Nick Neupauer said. “Sarah was one of those. She excelled academically.

“I got to attend that (2016) convention with her and really got to know her. It's not uncommon for our alumni to give back, but for someone to do so before being firmly established in her own career — That is unusual.

“But that was Sarah, an incredible human being,” Neupauer added.

Megan Jefferds, a close friend of Kasunic's the past two years, is serving as director of the 5K.

“Sarah was such a caring, giving person,” Jefferds said. “When I first heard of the accident, my immediate reaction was, 'What can I do?' I felt helpless.

“Working on this 5K, continuing what she had started in terms of this nursing scholarship ... This is what I can do. It's been a therapeutic venture for a lot of us.”

Early bird registration fee for the 5K is $30, if turned in by Aug. 7. The standard rate is $45, if turned in by Sept. 1. Registrants receive a free t-shirt.

Children 18 and under are admitted into the 5K at no charge.

Plans are to make the Kasunic Memorial 5K an annual event.

“This year is only the start,” Jefferds said. “This 5K will build and build. This scholarship is something Sarah wanted to create. Giving back to help people at such a young age ... A lot of people don't do that, ever.

“Her name will forever be behind this. I love it. And I know she loves it.”

Ruth Purcell is Executive Director of the Butler County Community College Education Foundation.

“Sarah gave her gift to the (scholarship) foundation in February,” Purcell said. “The outpouring of memorial gifts in her honor has been amazing.”

More than $8,000 have already been donated toward Sarah's nursing scholarship program.

“Who knows how high it's going to go?,” Purcell said. “Her employer in Tennessee is contributing. People are honoring a great life here.”

Jefferds described the upcoming 5K as “a celebration of Sarah's life.”

Registration the day of the 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. Runners will begin at 9:30 a.m., walkers at 10 a.m. An awards program will begin at 11 a.m.

Participants may register by calling BC3 directly or by searching “Sarah Kasunic Memorial 5K” on the internet and following the links.