CAC Hope for Healing 5K exceeds fundraising goal
Winners of the Hope for Healing 5K run. From left to right: Lydia Dylan, Emily Gunther, Andrew McJanus. (Photo by Sarah Giglio)
NORWICH - This Saturday, the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) held its first ever Hope for Healing 5K run. The event yielded an exceptional turnout, and raised more money than the CAC’s original goal.
According to Joanne Smith, the Program Coordinator at CAC, over 60 people registered online, and more registered in person that morning. The event drew participants of all ages, and some runners even brought their dogs along.
The fundraiser and 5K was held to raise awareness of child abuse, as well as raise money for medical equipment necessary for exams of child victims of physical abuse.
“We get calls from CPS and law enforcement when there is a report of child abuse,” said Smith. “We conduct child friendly interviews for the children, and we provide services for the family because we know this can be a very traumatic time for families and the children.”
The response from community members was so vast that the fundraising goal was reached before the 5K was held, with more donations coming in Saturday morning.
“Because of the overwhelming support of this community, we already raised the money before the 5K today. What a testimony to this community,” said Smith.
Participants in the race stated they registered because they wanted to raise awareness, support the cause, and because they felt it was important people know about these issues.
Many locations in Norwich have also shown their support by placing blue pinwheels in front of their establishments. William MacGuire, the owner of Live Entertainment NY, added to this display of support by shining blue lights on local businesses that donated funds or gift baskets.
MacGuire spearheaded a fundraising campaign meant to glean support from local businesses in the form of physical gifts that could be raffled off. He said it was initially meant to only span the length of Broad Street in Norwich, but that it quickly expanded.
“People were calling, they wanted to get involved,” he said. MacGuire also stated that support from businesses came from not only Norwich, but Oxford and McDonough as well.
The gift baskets included an assortment of jewelry from McNeil Jewelers, coffee and thermoses from Deja Brew, framed paintings and drawing pencils from Creative Works, and a children’s bike, among several others.
Two local food trucks also set up shop at the event, to provide food and refreshments to participants and visitors.
Beyond the prizes and the 5K run, there were also several tents set up in East Park from organizations such as The Place, Head Start, the Help Restore Hope Center, and more. Smith stated the tents also contained entertainment for children as “they’re what this is all about.”
A half hour zumba class was also held before the 5K as a warm-up for runners. After the class, participants donned masks and gathered behind the East Park stage. “Eye of the Tiger” thumped in the background as runners departed, with Norwich City Police cruisers escorting them.
The first runner to complete the 5K was Emily Gunther. Second place went to Lydia Dylan, with Andrew McJanus coming in third. Winners were presented with medals adorned with the CAC’s logo on the back.
While the Hope for Healing run marks the end of this month’s awareness efforts, Smith says the CAC hopes to hold the event annually.
“This could not have happened with us alone,” she said. “We’re really glad that we got approval from the Department of Health to be here today and to be able to do this race, and for all of you brave people to come out and be here and support us.”
If you would like to learn more about the Child Advocacy Center, visit their website at www.chenangochildadvocacy.us, or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChenangoCAC.
According to Joanne Smith, the Program Coordinator at CAC, over 60 people registered online, and more registered in person that morning. The event drew participants of all ages, and some runners even brought their dogs along.
The fundraiser and 5K was held to raise awareness of child abuse, as well as raise money for medical equipment necessary for exams of child victims of physical abuse.
“We get calls from CPS and law enforcement when there is a report of child abuse,” said Smith. “We conduct child friendly interviews for the children, and we provide services for the family because we know this can be a very traumatic time for families and the children.”
The response from community members was so vast that the fundraising goal was reached before the 5K was held, with more donations coming in Saturday morning.
“Because of the overwhelming support of this community, we already raised the money before the 5K today. What a testimony to this community,” said Smith.
Participants in the race stated they registered because they wanted to raise awareness, support the cause, and because they felt it was important people know about these issues.
Many locations in Norwich have also shown their support by placing blue pinwheels in front of their establishments. William MacGuire, the owner of Live Entertainment NY, added to this display of support by shining blue lights on local businesses that donated funds or gift baskets.
MacGuire spearheaded a fundraising campaign meant to glean support from local businesses in the form of physical gifts that could be raffled off. He said it was initially meant to only span the length of Broad Street in Norwich, but that it quickly expanded.
“People were calling, they wanted to get involved,” he said. MacGuire also stated that support from businesses came from not only Norwich, but Oxford and McDonough as well.
The gift baskets included an assortment of jewelry from McNeil Jewelers, coffee and thermoses from Deja Brew, framed paintings and drawing pencils from Creative Works, and a children’s bike, among several others.
Two local food trucks also set up shop at the event, to provide food and refreshments to participants and visitors.
Beyond the prizes and the 5K run, there were also several tents set up in East Park from organizations such as The Place, Head Start, the Help Restore Hope Center, and more. Smith stated the tents also contained entertainment for children as “they’re what this is all about.”
A half hour zumba class was also held before the 5K as a warm-up for runners. After the class, participants donned masks and gathered behind the East Park stage. “Eye of the Tiger” thumped in the background as runners departed, with Norwich City Police cruisers escorting them.
The first runner to complete the 5K was Emily Gunther. Second place went to Lydia Dylan, with Andrew McJanus coming in third. Winners were presented with medals adorned with the CAC’s logo on the back.
While the Hope for Healing run marks the end of this month’s awareness efforts, Smith says the CAC hopes to hold the event annually.
“This could not have happened with us alone,” she said. “We’re really glad that we got approval from the Department of Health to be here today and to be able to do this race, and for all of you brave people to come out and be here and support us.”
If you would like to learn more about the Child Advocacy Center, visit their website at www.chenangochildadvocacy.us, or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChenangoCAC.
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