In Focus: Drew North Foundation 5K raises support for local youths in Chehalis

Runners take off from the starting line during the annual Drew North Foundation Mental Health & Suicide Awareness 5K in Chehalis on Saturday, Sept. 26. Proceeds from the event will go to providing resources for the youth of the community. Drew Douglass, of Chehalis, died by suicide in September 2021 at the age of 14. His parents, Steve and Jennie Douglass, started the nonprofit Drew North Foundation to make a meaningful difference in how mental health and suicide are addressed with young people. They endeavor always for their work to honor Drew. The Douglasses and their close family friends started talking about starting a nonprofit just a month after losing Drew. They formed a board in November 2021 and were approved as a nonprofit just after the beginning of 2022.