Take your mark, leave your mark

GONZALES – On Saturday, April 1, when runners take their mark they will also simultaneously leave their mark running or walking, because the Norma's House 5K is taking a stance against child abuse.

The 5K is the kick-off event for National Child Abuse Prevention Month and appropriately so, since the theme for this year's prevention campaign is "Building Community, Building Hope.".

Everyone can get involved and play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting child and family well-being.

One way to build community is to get involved and participate in the 5K. Just put one foot in front of the other and take it one step at a time.

According to The United States Department of Health and Family Services other steps to building community are:

• Meet and greet your neighbors.
• Go to a parents' meeting at your child's school.
• Use the Activity Calendars to plan activities in your community.
• Set up a playgroup in your community at people's homes or local park (consider inviting people who may not have children at home, like local seniors).
• Organize a community babysitting co-op.
• Volunteer at your child's school through the school's administration or the parent's organization.
• Encourage local service providers to produce a directory of available services that are easy to find in the community.
• Organize a community event (a block party, father/daughter dance, parent support group)
• Run for an office in the parent organization at your child's school.
• Attend local government meetings (city council or school board meetings) and let them know how important resources are in your community. Let them know how parks, strong schools, and accessible services help to strengthen your family and other families.

The Norma's House 5K walk/run is starts at 8 a.m., on Smith Street, in front of Gonzales Memorial Museum. Participants can sign up now for $20. The price will increase to $25 on race day. Race day registration is at 7:30 a.m. Sign-up forms can be found at Norma's House, located at 1604 St. Paul St., in Gonzales; or, through the Norma's House website: www.normashouse.net.