'24-hour Swim/Bike/Run' big part of huge April events list

April 16, 2012

The Richland County Children Services’ ninth annual “24-hour Swim/Bike/Run” to raise community awareness of child abuse and neglect was a huge success with 34 percent more participants than a year ago.

The event at the Mansfield Area YMCA began April 13 at 4 p.m. and continued for 24 hours, ending April 14 at 4 p.m. RCCS met its pledge to the community of having at least one person running/walking, biking or swimming for the entire time period.

“We do this event for a couple of reasons,” said Carl Hunnell, communications supervisor for the agency. “First, we want to find ways, especially during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, to raise the community’s awareness of the topic and to make sure they understand everyone is responsible for keeping children safe.

“Second, the time of the event is a great reminder to the community that our agency is open to take calls regarding child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Hunnell said.

“When someone sees a child being abused or neglected at night or on the weekend, he or she doesn’t have to wait until the next morning or until Monday morning to call. They can call at any time of the day or night at 419-774-4100,” he said.

There were 172 participants in this year’s event, up from 128 in 2011, including 131 community volunteers. The walkers, runners, bikers and swimmers logged 698 miles during the 24 hours, averaging 29 miles traveled per hour.

Each participant received an even T-shirt, along with healthy snacks and water.

“We cannot thank our friends and partners at the Mansfield Area YMCA enough for their assistance with the event again this year,” Hunnell said. “They give us usage of their facility for the entire event. We could not do this without them.

“We also want to thank all of the many residents who came out this year to run, walk, bike and swim on behalf of child abuse prevention,” Hunnell said.

April events:

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Saturday, March 24 --We had a very successful event on Saturday, March 24. Click here for photos from the event.

Pinwheels for Prevention planting, Wednesday, April 4 -- We planted 3,019 pinwheels outside of the Mansfield Area YMCA along Lexington Avenue, assisted by volunteers from Richland Newhope. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.

Pinwheels for Prevention dedication, Thursday, April 5 -- A ceremony was held to dedicate the pinwheels, each of which represents an investigation into child abuse or neglect in 2011. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.

Wear Blue to Work Day, Wednesday, April 11 --The first statewide event was a huge success locally with more than three dozen businesses, schools and agencies participating. Click here for photos from various locations around Richland County. St. Peter's High School and Junior High also staged a balloon launch to raise community awareness of child abuse and neglect. Click here to see photos from that event.

24-hour Swim/Bike/Run for the Kids, Friday-Saturday, April 13-14 --The ninth annual event was another big success with 172 participants logging 698 miles of running, walking, swimming and biking. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.

Minority Health Fair, Saturday, April 28 -- Richland County Children Services participated in the annual event at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center on Bowman Street in Mansfield. Click here for photos from this year's event.

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