May 4 Run for the Children Stays the Course for Runners and Child Advocates

For Immediate Release: March 8, 2013

Contact: Lisa Banks, Executive Director

Preparations are underway for the third annual Run for the Children, hosted by Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).  Made possible through a generous partnership grant from the Verizon Foundation and other local corporations, the run takes place on May 4 in historic Fairfax City.  The race, which has received high marks from runners in past years, promises to deliver an even more pleasant running experience this year.  The USATF-certified course has been shortened from a 10K to an 8K, eliminating the extreme hills of the last leg.  The family-friendly 3K course remains unchanged.

Also new this year:  an EventShare photo booth, which allows participants to instantly print or email photos to friends and family.  In addition to t-shirts and other give-aways, participants will also enjoy a live DJ for entertainment and plenty of pre and post-race refreshments, including donations from Hard Times Café and Jason’s Deli. 

In keeping with tradition, the race will start from the Fairfax County court house complex in a symbolic nod to the CASA volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children under the court’s protection.

Runners who register by March 15, 2013, enter for the chance to win a Timex GPS.  Registration is available online at www.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com

 “We are thrilled with the level of excitement surrounding our annual event,” says Lisa Banks, Fairfax CASA Executive Director. “Our registration numbers are growing daily and we have received generous support from community businesses, including Deloitte, Visnic Homes, SRA, Inc., Raytheon, Sensei Enterprises, Inc., CJM Wealth Advisers, Ltd., numerous individuals, and our signature sponsor, Verizon.  Most important, the Run for the Children brings visibility to the work of over 190 CASA volunteers who advocate year-round for the rights of abused and neglected children to live in safe, permanent, and loving homes.”

Doug Brammer, Verizon manager of government relations, says, “Verizon’s philanthropic and technological resources are providing powerful answers to serious societal problems in health care, including domestic violence prevention and education.  We’re proud to support Fairfax CASA in the fulfillment of its mission to advocate for the best interests of each abused and neglected child through the promotion and support of quality volunteer representation.”

In Fairfax County, a child enters the court system once every 38 hours.  These children need caring, dedicated adults to help ensure that they do not fall through the cracks of the child protection system. Fairfax CASA recruits and trains citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the court’s protection in Fairfax County. The juvenile court relies heavily on the CASA volunteer’s work and requests that Fairfax CASA assign a volunteer to every case of abuse and neglect before the Court.

To learn more, visit www.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com.  For media inquiries, contact Lisa Banks, Executive Director, at (703) 273-3526 or lbanks@casafairfax.org