At the second annual Every Child Should Be Protected 5K, a few dozen people gathered to run in the name of protecting victims of child abuse.
The event started last year, inspired by the case of slain Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto.
Addressing the crowd, event organizer and Orlando resident Scottie Gallegos said the impetus for the event came when she was following the case last year.
“I felt there was something more to do than just be sad,” she said. “The loss of Madeline over a year ago was what inspired the 5K. And I think that there’s still child abuse going on, [we wanted] to bring awareness to the community to know there’s places to help whenever this stuff happens. Knowing we can help financially, or through prayer, or being out in the community and raising that awareness.”
Clad in blue T-shirts, the runners met Thursday at 6 p.m. at Ivanhoe Brewing in Orlando. The event was a collaboration with RISE Community Solutions, which operates the Children’s Advocacy Center Osceola. The CAC works to support children living through traumatic situations.
According to organizers, the 5K raised a total of $2,750 this year from those wanting to support the cause. The money will go towards the Children’s Advocacy Center and helping victims of child abuse.
RISE Executive Director Rebecca Leninger said the turnout this year was better than last and said she felt “a lot more momentum” this year which she hoped would turn into positive change.
Children’s Advocacy Center Osceola executive director Joy Chuba said they’ve been able to help 178 children since last year’s 5K, which they attributed to the increase in awareness of the issue of child abuse.
“Child abuse and neglect impacts every community,” Chuba said. “April is child abuse awareness month, its a wonderful time to highlight the issue and get folks paying attention and educated.”
Despite the somber reason for the event, it had an affable, chipper mood. Guests socialized and caught up with old friends while kids played Jenga and Connect Four set up in the parking lot, and a DJ booth set up by sponsors VueChurch played upbeat rock music.
Some attendees of the event were friends or family of Gallegos’, but others were new this year. One of those was Orlando resident Nydia Lampkin.
“My friend just found a 5K to run, and it just so happened to have a good cause,” said Lampkin. “Every child should be protected. I have a little sister who is autistic. It’s important to advocate for her as well.”
Orlando resident Julie Polon, who brought her kid to do the 5K with her, said it would be a good thing if the event could educate people on the pervasive nature of child abuse— that it could be happening anywhere.
“I don’t think people realize it could be your neighbors’ kids [who are in danger]. We don’t know who it is,” she said.
