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On your mark, get set -- Stop the Tears! United for Families will kick off its yearly campaign to end child abuse at 8 a.m. March 28 with the Third Annual Stop the Tears, End Child Abuse 5K Run and Walk.
The race, hosted for the first time in Indian River County, starts in Vero Beach's South Beach Park.
Registration is still available online at www.unitedforfamilies.org. The entry fee is $10 for children, $20 for adults and $100 for a team of five.
"We really wanted to bring our message of child-abuse prevention to the Vero Beach community," United for Families Community Development Director Christina Kaiser said. "We do so many events in Martin and St. Lucie counties -- but Indian River and Okeechobee are part of our service area too, and the message is just as important there as anywhere else."
The run is the official start of a six-week campaign to raise awareness for child-abuse prevention programs.
A special awareness ceremony is scheduled next, at 9 a.m. April 4. Judge Dwight Geiger will be the guest speaker.
Events continue April 23 with a complimentary community luncheon -- designed to kick off United for Families' annual fundraising campaign and wrap up May 8 with the Teeing Off Fore Kids Charity Golf Tournament at Harbor Ridge Golf and Country Club, in Palm City.
For more information, or to register for any events, please call Christina Kaiser at 398-2920 Ext. 298.
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Volunteer Coordinator Linda Smith reacts to a child's successful attempt at the bean-bag toss during the Okeechobee Speckled Perch Festival.
Christina MacIntosh of Pampered Chef, shown here with United for Families and Riverside National Bank staff, donates proceeds from a recent product demonstration.
A father helps his little girl line up a shot during the recent mini golf tournament.
Annie Kaiser, 4, demonstrates a less sophisticated golf technique -- screaming the ball into the hole.
Young golfers make their way to the 18th hole.
The United Way of Martin County is one of several non-profit organizations that entered a team at the event.
Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, shown here with his daughter, Sara, 13, hosted the tournament. Ciampi is also a member of the United for Families Board of Directors.
Emily Kaiser, 16, volunteers as a face painter at the Speckled Perch Festival.
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United for Families News
- Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi hosted United for Families' first Mini Golf Tournament February 7 at 76 Golf World, in Stuart. The event raised nearly $500 -- or the cost of two apartment kits for students in the Road to Success program, which prepares foster youth for life outside the foster-care system.
- United for Families is looking for volunteers with strong leadership skills interested in becoming founding members of the Tear Stoppers -- United for Families' fundraising guild. Members will help set the course for future fundraising. For more information, call Christina Kaiser at (772) 398-2920 Ext. 298.
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Caregiver News
- United for Families collected a record-breaking number of toiletries during its 2009 Have a Heart, Do your Part toiletry drive. Toiletries are available to caregivers via the Foster Parent Support Coordinator. Call Jill Poole at (772) 398-2920 for more information.
- It's fair and rodeo season again throughout United for Families' service area. Complimentary tickets are available while supplies last. Call Jill Poole, or Community Resource Coordinator Lea Tate, (772) 398-2920 Ext. 297, for times, locations and ticket information.
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Community News
- The St. Lucie County Community Services Department is working with local volunteers to help qualified residents prepare their income taxes at no cost.
The Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, is one of several locations throughout St. Lucie County. The center's expanded hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 4-8 p.m.
For other locations and times throughout St. Lucie County, call (772) 462-1777.www.stlucieco.gov
- Call now to register for the Domestic Violence Task Force Symposium, scheduled 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 20 at Spring Hill Suites, Port St. Lucie.
Registration is $25 and includes lunch. Seating is limited. Call (772) 985-0777 for more information.
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