ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (November 13, 2014) It seems that the word “hero” is thrown around quite loosely these days. Our Superheroes – runners, joggers, walkers, and volunteers – came out in the cold to attend the Lone Star CASA Superhero 5K and Fun Run held Nov. 1 at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium in Rockwall.
These superheroes helped Lone Star CASA® (Court Appointed Special Advocates serving children in Rockwall and Kaufman Counties) in their efforts to raise awareness about CASA kids in the 6th annual 5K race against child abuse and neglect.
After Gary Freedman, the “Voice of Rockwall,” announced the Fun Run, BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) members left the start area for their positions to keep the 5K runners on the right route. The run was led by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van and the Bat Mobile donated by Rockwall Dodge.
Near the half-way point, Royse City Girls Scouts distributed water to the participants on their way to the finish line. The Rockwall Children’s Choir performed, and speakers included an adoptive father discussing his association with a CASA volunteer, Judge Brett Hall, and Dr. Paul Hain from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
At the stadium, children participated the Superhero Academy where they used their brains to estimate the number of Power Balls and located the kryptonite in the Bat Cave. They were able to Leap Tall Buildings in a single bound, Vaporize Super Villains, build their Mighty Muscles, save our soldiers from Mr. Freeze, and, finally, survive the 40 foot Obstacle Course.
Attendees enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate and donuts donated by Dunkin Donuts, breakfast tacos donated by Chiloso’s, and fruit donated by Chase Bank. Amy and Todd from Eclipse Fitness, assisted by Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Bear and Culver’s Scoopy, led the warm-up activities for the Fun Run and the 5K.
James West crossed the finish line first, with a “chip-time” of 21.47. Allyson McCutcheon, overall female winner, had a “chip-time” of 23.31. Masters overall winners were Rick Clement and Amy Smith.
The first place finishers in the different age and gender groups were: Female 1 to 14, Valerie Guerra; Male 1 to 14, Julian Larkin; Female 15 to 19, Megan Benefield; Male 15 to 19, Tyler Tirevold; Female 20 to 24, Yoshi Ramirez; Male 20 to 24, Joshua Peck; Female 25 to 29, Ashley Garcia; Male 25 to 29, Graylin Gammage; Female 30 to 34, Catherine Jamerson; Male 30 to 34, Jeemy Wallish; Female 35 to 39, Michelle Lopresti; Male 35 to 39, Michael Staley; Female 40 to 44, Shannon Murray; Male 40 to 44, Eric Camp; Female 45 to 49, Shari Thompson; Male 45 to 49, Todd Tirevold; Female 50 to 54, Lissett Engel; Male 50 to 54, Terry Spann; Female 55 to 59, Kathleen Moser; Male 55 to 59, Stan Pechal; Female 60 and over, Carol Mathus; Male 60 and over, Barry Ellis.
Many thanks go to the Rockwall Independent School District for the use of the stadium facilities and to continuing sponsors, Metro East Division of the Dallas Builders Association and Adfinity.biz. The Champion Sponsor for the 5K was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The Victory Sponsor was Toyota of Rockwall. The Top Fantastic Sponsors were Excel Pediatric Therapy and First United Methodist Church of Rockwall; and Fantastic Sponsors were Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP and Royse City Rotary Club. Super Sponsors included Arkoma Properties, Community Bank, Rockwall County Republican Men’s Club; Defender Sponsors were Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, Dr. Mark Olmstead; Alliance Bank; American National Bank, Rockwall; American National Bank, Terrell; Bart Miller, DDS; Car-O-Liner Southwest Company; Jeffrey and Lisa Shell; Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office; Mid South Bank; Oscar Delta; Re/Max Landmark, Terrell; Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper; Susan Wright, Attorney/Mediator; Terrell Bingo; and Todd and Shanna Graham.
Lone Star CASA is fortunate to have community partners who join them as they raise awareness about their mission: Chick-fil-A; Chilosos; Costco; Culvers; Dunkin’Donuts; Dynamic Auction Group; Eclipse Fitness; In-n-Out Burgers; Lauren Bushnell; Lowe’s; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Richard’s Steakhouse; and Rockwall Dodge. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas provided a video account and Kim Worsham provided candid shots of the event. Runners were able to get their race packets, which included coupons and products from several local businesses, at Early Packet Pickup at Rockwall Running Center.
One of the goals of this year’s CASA SuperHero 5K event was to raise awareness about the CASA program and the need for additional volunteer advocates for the abused and neglected children of Rockwall and Kaufman Counties. For information about how you can join others as CASA advocates, contact the CASA office at 972-772-5858, or go to one of these websites: www.lonestarcasa.org and www.becomeacasa.org.
Submitted by Roland Ruble, Lone Star CASA.
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