Peach County Laces up to Raise Awareness about Child Abuse, Neglect, Obesity
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| Peach County H.S. football team volunteer timers and motivators |
Peach County Family Connection raised awareness about child abuse and neglect and childhood obesity in April by getting members of the community to lace up for its inaugural 5K Walk/Run Race. The county collaborative organization also hosted the event to raise money to support its community-based programs in Tabor Heights and Peach County.
“This momentous occasion had multiple platforms,” said Peach County Family Connection Executive Director Adrianne Frankie Towles. “We wanted to educate and increase awareness of child abuse and neglect, childhood obesity, and to increase literacy. Reducing child abuse and neglect and increasing literacy are two goals Peach County Family Connection have targeted for several years.”
According to Towles, race day dawned stormy with threats of more severe weather to come. But when the sky cleared around 8 a.m. collaborative partners set up tables for awards and nutritious snacks for several brave and avid runners/walkers who emerged on the campus of Fort Valley State University.
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| Peach County Family Connection Executive Director Adrianne Frankie Towles (center) cools down after the race with fellow runners. |
Peach County Family Connection recently used art as a medium for educating the public and children by hosting an art contest for 5th graders at the local elementary school—and for students attending the Tabor Heights After-school Program—the county collaborative organization’s target community.
“Because funding is tight and diminishing we decided to hold an event that would be fun, health related, and would provide information on our areas of focus,” said Towles. “In spite of the weather, the race was a success.”
Towles described the 5k event as a testimony to local collaboration. The Peach County H.S. football team served as timers and motivators, while employees from Kohl’s Department Store positioned along the race route distributed water and encouraged the walkers/runners on to the finish line. First-, second-, and third-place runners earned cash awards of $200, $150, and $50. The second through fifth runners in each age category received gift cards donated by local restaurants and businesses, with medals going to the winner in each age category.
“This collaborative event involved several of our long-standing partners along with our newest partner, Fort Valley State University,” representatives from various agencies provided detailed information on ways to identify and reduce childhood abuse, neglect, and obesity, as well as the importance of securing a GED and the necessary initial steps.said Towles. “Before the race. This event was a unique opportunity to bring community together, raise awareness, and support our youth academic, personal development, and cultural enrichment programs.”
Contact:
Adrianne Frankie Towles
Peach County Family Connection Executive Director
478-825-0074
aftowles01@aol.com
William Valladares
GaFCP Communications Manager
404-527-7394 (x114)
william@gafcp.org