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CASA Supporters Run to Raise Funds
Lucille Bell
Lone Star CASA
Executive Director
November 23, 2009
Clouds and brisk winds didn’t stop over 200 runners, joggers, and walkers from attending Lone Star CASA’s first “Speak Up for Kids CASA 5K” and Fun Run held at the Wilkerson-Sanders stadium in Rockwall on November 7th.
With the help of RUNON Texas, participants enjoyed a first-class race experience. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program.
People of all ages ran and/or walked the 5K event raising money for CASA and awareness about the plight of children in foster care.
Announced by Gary Freedman, the morning’s race began with a kid’s fun run lead by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Blue Bear Mascot. Blue Bear and the kids had help warming up from Don and Carol Mathus, the Chick-fil-a Cow Mascot, and Culver’s Scoopy Cone Mascot.
As racers lined-up to the start line for the 5K, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas mobile unit took its place at the start of the race to lead the runners through the 5K course.
Near the half-way point Girls Scouts distributed water to the participants as they ran past the water stop on their way to the finish line.
Jim Pultorak, of Rockwall, crossed the finish line first, with a “chip-time” of 20:04. Nicole Bowen, of Rockwall, overall female winner, had a “chip-time” of 24:42. Masters overall winners were Ronnie Bardin, of Forney, and Heather Svoboda.
The first place finishers in the different age and gender groups were:
14 and under male, Jacob Turner
14 and under female, Kaitlyn Stark
15-19 male, Nathan Courtney
15-19 female, Lauren Taylor
20-24 female, Amanda Byrd
25-29 male, Jonathan Edmundson
25-29 female, Anna Ray
30-34 male, Timothy Sparks
30-34 female, Sonya Johnson
35-39 male, Kevin Smart
35-39 female, Christy Rowland
40-44 male, Tim Hartley
40-44 female, Angie Scalf
45-49 male, Kevin Cox
45-49 female, Joan Cooper
50-54 male, John Reyna
50-54 female, Karen Shepherd
55-59 male, Bruce Macleish
55-59 female, Christine Hoffmeyer
Over 60 male, John Fratto
Over 60 female, Terry Peters
Before and during the event, participants and their families enjoyed family-fun events where health and well-being were represented. Information from vendors and organizations included American Heart Association, Red Cross, Care United, Rockwall Fire Department, Rockwall Police Department, HAB Cars for CASA, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), face-painting, bounce house, and food.
The goal of this year’s Speak Up for Kids CASA 5K event was to raise awareness about the CASA program and the need for additional volunteer child-advocates.
As one of a network of more than 1,000 Court Appointed Special Advocates programs around the country, Lone Star CASA guards the well-being of children involved in Child Protective Services cases in Rockwall and Kaufman Counties.
Under the Texas Family Code, courts are obligated to appoint a guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children in foster care. Courts use CASA volunteers as guardian ad litem’s for thousands of children each year.
Our many thanks go to Blue Cross Blue Shield TX and Texas CASA as presenting series sponsors. Special thanks to the Rockwall Independent School District for the use of the stadium facilities.
Additional thanks to Walmart, Allied Waste, Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall, Integrity Mortgage, Applikators Plus, LakePointe Church, Dena Elder-Ebby Halliday Realtors, Metroplex Foot & Ankle, Care United Medical Center, Lake Pointe Medical Center, Precision Welding & Iron, David Couch-Attorney at Law, Teresa M. Easter-Attorney at Law, Spain Law Firm, Susan Z. Wright-Attorney/Mediator for sponsoring this event.
