by Merlin Anderson
February 18th was another wonderful day to run, quite different from the last couple of winters when it was inevitable that inclement weather would affect every ABC run. This winter has been quite the opposite. Even in a mild winter, we have lucked into the best weekends. We also lucked into having a wonderful host, Robyn Walter. Robyn was kind enough to open her house, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and providing a bounty of tasty, healthful food topped off with her special recovery beverage – mimosas!
A great group of 44 participants donated a total of $588 for the Child Protection Network, which is an umbrella organization for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. The Children’s Advocacy Center is the front door for children to come through when there have been allegations of sexual and/or serious physical abuse. In McLean, Livingston and DeWitt Counties, DCFS and law enforcement are required to bring children to these centers to be interviewed by a forensic specialist. This is part of a multi-disciplinary team approach that provides a child friendly environment focused on reducing trauma to child victims. The CASA Program trains community volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children who have been removed from their biological family and placed into foster care.
We welcomed three new participants this month: Donna Smith, Chris Kneer, and Karina Usiak. You might be thinking that I am padding my participant statistics by including Les and Jill’s baby, Karina, but I am sure I saw Karina running across the carpet. Of course, you don’t have to run to be counted as a participant. Robyn was too busy hosting to take time to run.
Thanks so much to Robyn for hosting and to everyone that attended and/or contributed. Thanks also to those that brought food. In addition to Robyn’s mimosas and coffee and sweet potato muffins and granola and yogurt, the Child Protection Network provided orange juice, chocolate milk, clementines, and bananas. In addition, Meg Anderson brought coffee cake and a casserole, Deb Aukerman brought a casserole, Stacy Brandt brought bananas, Kevin Fahling brought cookies, Vince Donohue brought Krispie Kremes, and I’m probably missing some of the food contributions.
ABC run #73 will be Saturday, March 17 at/for the Scott Early Learning Center (The Children’s Foundation), 403 S. State St., Bloomington. The run starts at 8am with the doors opening at 7:30.
