Annual Kevin Kennedy 5K hero race set Saturday
by: The North Platte Bulletin - Apr. 9, 2021
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The late Kevin Kennedy was a huge supporter of the CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) as a board member and through financial donations.
In his honor, a “5K Hero Race” will be held Saturday at Iron Horse Lake, near the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, another project that was dear to Kennedy’s heart.
Lincoln County CASA advocates and supports the interests of abused and neglected children, striving to get them in a safe and secure home. Proceeds from the 5K will support the program. The races honors the advocates and moreso, the doctors and teachers who contribute valuable information about the children.
nholland@post-journal.com
Pictured from left are Beth Oakes, Child Advocacy Program executive director, and Carey Lee, advocacy coordinator, holding pinwheels as part of the Pinwheels for Prevention program.
P-J photos by Nikk Holland
Since 1983, April has been known as National Child Abuse Prevention month, and local organizations are looking to use the month to bring awareness to the issue.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Chautauqua County is one of those organizations. By recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, CASA provides advocates for childrens’ needs in court and in the community.
“CASA volunteers are a constant for the child in a time of chaos,” executive director Kathy Park said. “A child may have multiple social workers, attorneys, therapists, and foster placements throughout the life of the case but only one CASA volunteer, which can make all the difference for the child’s future.”
Special to the Bulletin
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month; CASA in the Heart of Texas is raising awareness of the need for more dedicated members of the community to step up and become Court Appointed Special Advocates and help end child abuse and neglect through supporting children and their families.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and specially trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a very difficult time in their lives. The fact that they give of their time and represent an objective, community viewpoint is one of the things that makes their input so valuable.
Stephenville community news in brief
Stephenville Empire-Tribune
Humane Society in need of volunteers
Have you been thinking about volunteering and never got around to it? Maybe you need some community service hours? The Erath County Humane Society would love to have your help!
The facility has been short handed in the mornings and needs all the time you can spare. The kennels are over capacity and every one needs cleaning/sanitizing in addition to the other morning chores.
Volunteers are needed to help with dishes, laundry, cleaning outside yards, feeding dogs/cats, replacing bedding, and just some good old-fashioned TLC.
Three new Colorado Springs City Council members and three incumbents won the six district races in the April 6 election, early returns showed.
The upset came in District 2, the northern portion of the city, with retired Air Force Col. Randy Helms defeating incumbent Councilman Dave Geislinger.
“I am very proud of the campaign that we ran,” Helms said.
The other new faces are, based on early results, retired physician assistant Dave Donelson in District 1 and executive coach Nancy Henjum, in District 5, early returns showed. Both were running for open seats in highly competitive races.
Incumbents Council President Richard Skorman, Councilwoman Yolanda Avila in District 4 and Councilman Mike O’Malley will keep their seats.