About 117 people ages six and up, came out to support the while also learning a thing or two about safety and self-defense.
The event, called the Safety & Self Defense Awareness in Honor of Sierra LaMar fundraiser, took place May 3 at Ann Sobrato High School, where missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar is a sophomore.
The event brought together representatives from the Morgan Hill Police Department, Train for Life and West Coast World Martial Arts of both Morgan Hill and Hollister. Attendees were taken through self-defense scenarios, such as someone bear-hugging them from behind, and how to escape from them.
Representatives from the MHPD also informed the group of ways to stay safe when dating, using social media and how to prevent cyber bullying.
School Resource Officer Sara Alanis, who gave the MHPD's presentation on cyber safety, echoed a message many of the martial arts instructors tried to impart on attendees.
"The most important key to staying safe is knowing where you are, knowing your surroundings and not being buried in your cell phone but actually being aware of where you are," she said. "The person who knows where they are is less likely to be targeted as a victim."
