More than 220 family members, friends and members of the community participated in the first Angela's Angel 5K run/walk fundraiser in memory of Angela Pope at Parkland High School.

Pope, of North Whitehall Township, was struck by a car and died on March 12 while running along Route 873, Washington Township.

The June 8 run/walk opened with Parkland graduate Payton Sherry singing the national anthem and Pope's husband, John, speaking briefly before the first run started.

Race Director Cheri Pagliano spoke with The Press.

"The idea for the event started off with 470 purple Angela Angels shirts designed by her children Madison, 16; Josh, 18; and Jake, 20," Pagliano said. "She [Angela] was supposed to run a half-marathon for St. Luke's the end of April."

Angela's sister, Bridget Tremblay, and two friends JoAnn Pope, and Tami Ridgway also spoke with The Press about Angela Pope and the event.

"My favorite thing about my sister was everything," Tremblay said.

"Angela was so much fun," Pope said. "She was loved so much and it shows by the turn out here today. We couldn't have had a better turn out."

Ridgway said Pope was a wonderful person.

"She was a very well-loved person and an awesome mother," Ridgway said. "The community has stepped out tremendously and we will continue to do this race."

All proceeds from the event will go into an education fund for Angela Pope's children.

Additional photos appear on page A2.