By Andrea McBride
Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of The Child Advocacy Center of Tuscola County Facebook page.
A superhero prepares for the 5K Superhero Run on Friday, June 13 to benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Tuscola County CACTC). The organization’s next event is the third annual Tee Fore Kids tournament on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Vassar Golf & Country Club.
CARO — Although Friday, June 12 was a washout weather-wise, community members brought some sunshine of their own to events benefiting the Child Advocacy Center of Tuscola County (CACTC).
The Family Fun Day at Caro McDonald’s switched its focus to awareness, while the evening Superhero 5K raised more than $5,000 by its 152 runners.
The CACTC is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe and friendly place for children who have been sexually or physically abused to make difficult but truthful disclosures.
Activities such as a bounce house and dunk tank for Family Fun Day had to be canceled, but eventgoers stayed busy with face painting, arts and crafts, a bake sale and a Ronald McDonald magic show.
A popular activity was the creation of child ID kits with assistance from Trooper Mark Swales and his wife. Children talked in microphones and discussed information such as their best friends and hobbies. The information was then put on a CD and given to the child and their family. That way, if anything were to happen to the child, parents have their background information and sound of their child’s voice on hand.
Kids signed pledges as a way to ensure their understanding of their right to be safe from harm and to always tell. They also colored a picture of a flower and wrote names of people they trust in each flower petal, which encourages them to talk to someone they trust if a problem arises.
Amber Spencer, CACTC executive director and forensic interviewer, said holding informational events is important.
“It just empowers children,” Spencer said. “It lets them know that they have the right and that they are strong individuals and their voice counts.”
Most Superhero 5K runners pre-registered for the event, but 21 showed up that day to participate. Spencer said she is grateful for the tremendous turnout in spite of gray skies.
“Every kid needs a hero, but every abused child needs a superhero, and we had 152 of those people, not including our volunteers,” Spencer said.
Gold sponsors for the event were Mark and Kathy Reene, Great Start Collaborative Tuscola County, Pat Curtis and Caro Community Hospital. Millennium Steering was a silver sponsor. Bronze sponsors included Hills and Dales, Jennifer and Chris Shores and Wally and Kathy Kent. Wingerts and Miller Race Management also donated to the event.
CACTC’s next fundraising event is the third annual Tee Fore Kids tournament on Sept. 25 at the Vassar Golf & Country Club.
The event is in need of teams, sponsors and silent auction items.
For more information, call 810-610-8071 or email tuscolacac@aol.com.