Superhero Fun Run and Walk held at 8 a.m. Saturday — Don’t forget to wear your favorite superhero costume
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities have an opportunity to participate in a fun event that raises money for a great cause – local children. The 5th annual CASA Superhero Fun Run takes place this Saturday, Aug. 20 beginning at Lassen Senior Services, 1700 Sunkist Drive, in Susanville to honor the heroes of child abuse survivors. Participants may register online at CASAFunRun.eventbrite.com or at the event beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday morning or participants can also pick up a registration form at Lassen Family Services. Runners and walkers will hit the course between 8:45 and 9 a.m.
According to the eventbrite post about the event, “We are thankful for CASA volunteers, foster parents, caregivers and law enforcement who support the children in this community. Join us Saturday, Aug. 20 for a run/walk to show our appreciation for the victim advocates in the community.”
Jennie Hoffman, CASA program manager, said, “Basically it’s just a 5K race where people come and celebrate their hero — it could be either a DC or Marvel hero or someone who works in law enforcement or as a firefighter … Just a little thing to celebrate all the heroes who are here in our community.”
Both the 5K run and the 1-mile walk start in front of the Lassen Senior Services Center on Sunkist Drive. The course turns right onto Limoneria Avenue, left onto Riverside Drive and then turns right onto Alexander Avenue. Just past the bridge participants turn left onto the Susan River Trail. Both runners and walkers will follow the trail, but walkers will go only as far as the crossing on Riverside Drive where they will turn around. Runners cross Riverside Drive and continue on the trail until they reach its end where they will turn around and run back to the Lassen Senior Services on the same course.
“It’s a great little course to walk or run,” Hoffman said.
CASA members represent and advocate for children who have been neglected or abused and are making their way through the dependency court system even though they’ve done nothing wrong.
“CASA volunteers work 8 to 10 hours on their case every month, and they get to advocate for the child in court via a report that goes straight to the judge,” Hoffman said. “The judge actually reads our reports and refers to them during the court’s hearings, especially if there’s something that hasn’t been said by the department or to listen to what the child needs or wants. CASA doesn’t have any interest in the case other than what the child needs or wants. It’s really cool because it helps one less child from being lost in a system that’s super complicated where the children’s voices can be drowned out because there’s adults around them who are talking. It’s ultimately, what does the child want? Do they ultimately want to be able go home, which the majority do? Or do they not want to go home? Or do they not feel safe at this moment in their home or would they feel safer if this would happen? Or do they have medical needs that need to be met that aren’t being met? We can be their voice and speak up for the child fully.”
Hoffman said the funds raised at the event will be used for services provided directly to the children.
