The top ten submissions for the 2012 “Run the Rapids” Child Abuse Prevention Run T-Shirt Contest have been posted for public voting. Voting will be available at www.runtherapids.wirapids.org from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15.
“Run the Rapids” is a 5K run/walk fundraising event organized by the Wood County Task Force on Child Abuse. Funds raised through the annual run are used to support local education, services and programs whose goal is child abuse prevention and investigation. Most recently the Task Force hosted a forensic interviewing training for social workers, District Attorney’s Office employees and law enforcement professionals; and worked with LAMAR to design billboards throughout Wood County raising awareness of abuse and neglect. The billboards have incorporated changing artwork, which included prior winning t-shirt contest designs.
Although the run is in its eighth year, this is the third annual t-shirt design contest. The contest was created by run committee members as a way to educate children about child abuse and reporting in a way that isn’t scary or intimidating. Child abuse and prevention is usually highlighted through disturbing statistics making it difficult to focus on positive intervention methods.
“As a committee we struggled with a way to promote the run and its purpose to youth, who through their peer to peer contact may be the most likely to have knowledge of family tension and warning signs. Our 2012 slogan encouraged young artists to complete the phrase ‘You don’t have to be (blank) to help a child. Every voice counts!’,” said Officer Kassandra Borchardt of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department in a press release. Borchardt is also a member of the Wood County Task Force on Child Abuse.
“We want to continue to spread the message that anyone can make a difference. Not every family has the same skills and resources to raise their children in a healthy environment, but with proper education and reporting, those families can be connected with programs and services that can help,” she said.
The Wood County Task Force on Child Abuse is a multidisciplinary team of professionals from across Wood County representing law enforcement, social services, the District Attorney’s Office and medical personnel. “Run the Rapids” Child Abuse Prevention 5K Run/Walk is the task force’s main fundraising effort. To view the 2012 t-shirt design contest submissions and log your vote, visit www.runtherapids.wirapids.org.
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