Family Support Center fun run raises awareness about child abuse

Don't be surprised if you start seeing flocks of pink flamingos around Roosevelt. April is Child Abuse Awareness month and the Family Support Center and High Hopes is using these brightly colored birds to help raise awareness here in the Basin.

In addition to the fabulous flocks of fake flamingos you can have delivered to a home or office, the center is also sponsoring the fifth annual Child Abuse Prevention fun run/walk on April 29 at Constitution Park. Family Support Center Director Activities Coordinator Pamala Draper said this event has become an annual tradition in the community, which is why the center sponsors it every year.

"This is our fifth year, we do it every year on the last Saturday in April. We want to raise awareness about child abuse prevention because that's what we do at the Family Support Center," Draper said. "This used to be a statewide event and all the centers would sponsor this run. We're the only center that is still doing it because we enjoy it. We've had better turnouts every year and we quite enjoy continuing the tradition."

Registration for the fun run/walk will start at 9 a.m. on April 29 at the skate park on the South side of Constitution Park. This is a free event and Draper said there will be T-shirts for participants while they last. The run/walk will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will go around the park and end up at the North pavilion. There will be games, fun and family activities.

"We start the run at 10 and play until everyone is done playing," Draper said." Last year there were more than 80 people that came to participate. Each year the event grows a little and more people show up to participate."

The pink flamingos are another annual tradition that used to be done around the state. Draper said the center uses it as a fundraiser to help fund the programs, help with the costs of the fun run and provides necessary funds to keep the center running. Flocks will be available during the month of April.

Child abuse is a widespread problem all over the world. Draper said it's something her staff is working hard to stop here in the Basin. The Family Support Center can help parents when difficult situations arise and they need a break.

"Child abuse is an issue, it's an issue everywhere. It's something that we want to help with. We want to be a support in the community," Draper said. "That's what we do, we provide free child care so if you are stressed out, you can drop your kids off for a few hours. We don't ask why you're stressed out or need the time. If you're in a crisis situation or you have a doctor's appointment, drop them off for a few hours, that's what we are there for, to help and be a part of the community."

For more information about the Child Abuse Prevention fun run/walk or about the flamingos contact the Family Support Center at 435-722-2401 or High Hopes at 435-722-2407.