More than 200 superheroes and heroines showed up Saturday to help abused and neglected children by participating in the Amanda Fussell Woodman Colorful 5K and Family Fun Run.
The fundraiser, now in its fifth year, is CASA of Texarkana's way of maintaining awareness of the need to protect children and recruit adult volunteer advocates for the program, CASA Executive Director Brandy Eldridge said.
"Without CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), our kids wouldn't have the proper representation in court," Eldridge said. "I'm overwhelmed by the support I see, and for me, it's a happy cry I'm having. Every one of you are showing me that you share our mission and you share our beliefs in combating child abuse and neglect. Our mission is and will always be one of hope, healing and justice."
Eldridge said the whole point of CASA is to make sure that any child who is removed from their home because of abuse or neglect and placed in foster care-often being moved from one foster home to another-will always have an adult advocate looking out for them and being their voice.
Advocate Tom Greer said that his job as a public school teacher fits right in with being a CASA advocate.
"As a teacher, I have a natural heart for kids, and being an advocate is just a natural extension of what I do," Greer said. "If kids get moved from one foster care home to another, I will always be there with them wherever they go. We are that one person that they can count on to be with them."
Eldridge said the children, from infants to teens younger than 18, may be returned to their homes eventually, provided their parents are deemed responsible enough, or adopted by new parents.
Stephanie Fussell, mother of the late Amanda Fussell Woodman for whom fundraiser is named, said her daughter always wanted to do something for CASA before she died.
"When I saw a fun run like this, in Shreveport (five years ago), I thought we could try that here," Fussell said.
Though the run was in November the first year, the last four were held the third Saturday in September at Trinity Baptist Church. This is the first year CASA has allowed runners to dress up like superheroes, Eldridge said.
"For the most part, we also have been blessed with good weather," she said.