Lace Up Your Running Shoes "Speak Up For Kids" event May 26 to benefit Child Advocates
By, Lee B. Weaver, The News Mirror

Did you know that every 8 I/2 minutes a child in Texas is abused or neglected? Did know that we see abuse and neglect in Wichita and Montague counties at a rate two times that of the national rate? We can¬not ignore the facts. Our children need someone to speak up for them and be their voice. Child Advocates volunteers have been the voice for abused and neglected children since 1983 and this year they are inviting you to lace up your running shoes for a very special Speak Up For Kids 5K run.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has teamed up with Texas CASA and Child Advocates to host the "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K event tak¬ing place at Lake Wichita Park on May 26. The event, a major fund-raiser for Child Advocates, includes two races - a 5K and a Kids 1K - as well as several family friendly activities at the race site. The "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K is part of a series held at venues all over the state. Four races have already been held and another 8, including the Wichita Falls race, have been scheduled.

"One of the main reasons we were chosen to hold the race is because we have the Blue Cross Blue Shield office here in Wichita Falls," Child Advocate's executive director Emily Streeton said. "We really hope this event will open the communities eyes to the abuse that is happening right here in our community."

Regular registration, which concludes May 24, costs $15 for the 5K race and $10 for kids 12 and under participating in the Kids 1K. Late regis¬tration takes place from 7 to 8 a.m. on race day; with a $5 additional fee for each race. Participants are encouraged to register online at www.casawf.org or call Charlene Perez at Child Advocates at 940-766¬0552.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, all proceeds from this event will directly benefit the abused and neglected children served by Child Advocates. The following corporate sponsors help make this event possible: Series Sponsor: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; Silver Medal Sponsor: Lalani Lodging; Inc.; Race Fan Sponsors: Wichita Falls Ford Lincoln Mercury, Tracy Hill DDS, and American National Bank.

In 2006, Child Advocates served 363 children who were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. For information about becoming a CASA Volunteer; call 940-766-0552.