Sports
Citizens walk to help stop child abuse
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 by Jenna Magness
On October 13, Central Texans participated in the Walk to Stop Child Abuse fundraiser. This walk was to raise awareness for child abuse and support safe, healthy families. Registration was 25 dollars and participants were encouraged to find sponsors to donate as well.
"Child Abuse Prevention Month is normally in April," said Outreach Coordinator of McLane Children's Hospital Jo-Ell Guzman. "However, we decided it would be the perfect idea to host the walk in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. People don't realize that so many children are affected by this problem. Statistics show that 60 percent of children have a chance of being abused or neglected coming from a domestic violence home. That's high."
Reed Realty made the walk unique by donating realtor signs. These signs were covered with child abuse national and local statistics and placed at various places in the 5k trail. Participants could read these as they walked or ran.
"We got some great feedback," said Guzman. "We had vendors at the event like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and people came up to me saying they didn't realize the resources that were in the area."
After the walk was over, participants were free to walk around and even get their picture with the 'Bernstein Bears'. There was also a celebration cake offered to everyone.
"We called it a 'celebration' cake because we want the walkers to know they took a step toward preventing child abuse. And although the walk is over, donations are still welcome at http://www.preventchildabusetexas.org/walktemple.html," said Guzman.
