CASA for Kids advocacy group raises awareness, funds through virtual 5K

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In recognition, the nonprofit advocacy organization CASA for Kids Inc. Washington County usually hosts its major fundraising event during the month. In fact, this year’s Light the Way Gala was scheduled for April 24 at St. Benedict the Abbott Church in Peters Township.
Of course, plans have changed because of COVID-19, and the gala has been postponed.
“But we still have this gap,” CASA fundraising and marketing manager Gina C. Lynn said. “Everybody still needs funds, and you still have programs to operate.”
CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocates, and those who volunteer for the role help ensure children are safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive.
“We are the eyes and ears of the court system,” executive director Carrie Richardson said. “We go in. We investigate what happened to this child. We write a thorough court report, and we try to give the judge the picture of what this child is experiencing day in, day out.”
Despite the current disruptions in regular routines, efforts in advocacy remain necessary. Take into consideration, for example, the closure of schools for the rest of the academic year.
“For a lot of kids, that seven-and-a-half-hour day was their relief from an abusive situation,” Lynn said. “So we have to keep doing what we can do for them.”
Richardson also commented on the situation:
“With the schools being closed for the remainder of the year and a lot of service providers unable to meet with families face to face, children are at grave risk for abuse. Even further magnifying the situation is the economic implications, isolation and lack of face-to-face services for the parents.”
In lieu of the gala, CASA has come up with a seasonal fundraising alternative: a five-kilometer Everyday Heroes Virtual Run/Walk, with pledges and donations benefiting the organization.
“I run, and I know a lot of people who do. Most of our events for the spring have been canceled. Nobody’s running the Pittsburgh Marathon,” Lynn said. “That’s a pretty hefty registration fee, and I’m thinking, what if half my runner friends just take what they would have spent on the marathon and do this.”
Unlike the 26.2 miles of the annual Pittsburgh race, the CASA event has no specified route.
“If they want to do it on their porches or in their backyards or around the block, wherever they’re comfortable,” Lynn said. “They could do it in the house and just go up and down their steps and around their living room. You know, you could even just step it in place for 40 or 45 minutes.”
Once participants wrap up their runs or walks, wherever that may take place, they’re encouraged to send her photos of themselves crossing the finish line, so to speak. They earn medals and chances to win prizes, and they’ll get a big shout-out from CASA.
“It’s good for the people who want to get out and feel like they’ve accomplished something, because they would be running this time of the year, anyway,” Lynn said. “But it’s also good for the couch potatoes who just want to make a donation, and anybody in between.”
The Everyday Heroes Virtual Run/Walk extends through April 30. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/242901036906416.