If anyone has a desire to donate to a very worthy organization, here is a good option. Western PA CARES for Kids is what is called a child-advocacy center. Basically, they work with children who have been the victims of violent and/or sexual crimes, or who have witnessed such events.
In Pennsylvania, organizations like this are not government-funded – their existence is based on donations and grants. They put on a duathlon every summer as one of their fundraisers.
This isn’t a guilt-trip, I just know that slowtwitch has a very diverse reading population… never know how this will hit home with someone. (FWIW, I am a guidance counselor at the high school in this community, so I have seen how incredible an organization like this can be to children!)
This is a link to their organization; donation info is under the “Get Involved” tab. http://www.carescac.org/
(This is good a place as any for a first post, I suppose!)
Ray is right - if you are in PA that race would be a great way of supporting an excellent organization. Win for you, win for them!
As a prosecutor in NH I can tell you we use the CAC here far too many times/week. The CAC format is designed to provide an opportunity for children to be interviewed once by a completely neutral, trained interviewer. The interview is attended by law enforcement, child services, and child advocates, but they watch by CC TV so the child only talks with one person. This process is a real step forward for compassionately, effectively, and fairly interviewing children alleging abuse.
This makes me think I should get our CAC to put on a race!
If you don’t mind me asking, do you have any funding ideas that our center in PA may be able to use. For our county, the forensic interviewer is also responsible for writing grants and raising money, etc. We are trying to brainstorm every possible funding opportunity and are open to all suggestions.