Dala Johnson is hoping about 300 people join her for a walk on the morning of Saturday, April 15.
She, with her volunteer crew of Blue Angels and the Lebanon Police Department are hosting the fifth annual Walk a Mile for a Child, in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month.
New to this year’s event are the 5K fun run/walk, Blue Angel awards, and a dedication ceremony for a bench and large painted rock that will be housed in front of the Lebanon Justice Center.
The goal of the event is to raise awareness about child abuse and also to raise money for the ABC House, a nonprofit child abuse intervention center that serves Linn and Benton Counties.
Johnson hopes to raise $10,000 this year, to top the $8,000 raised last year.
The group doesn’t rely on this event to raise the whole amount.
Dala’s Blue Angels do several fundraisers throughout the year for this cause. On April 22 Udderly Deliciouz will donate $1 per drink to the ABC House. On May 6, the Blue Angels will have a hot dog sale at Walmart.
On April 9, a group of 25 volunteers worked traffic control for the Corvallis Half-Marathon, raising $1,000 they will donate to the ABC House.
The nonprofit offers a variety of services, including forensic interviews, support and advocacy, counseling, and community education.
The event is timely for the community. Last month, Douglas James Young, Jr., 45, of Lebanon, was arrested and faces 40 child sex abuse-related charges for alleged incidents that occurred from 2002 through 2017. An early resolution conference is scheduled for May 6.
“It’s instances like this why we have to continue what we’re doing,” said Johnson, LPD community policing officer. “It does make a difference. We have to get out and educate the public.”
Saturday’s family-friendly event will feature guest speakers and vendor booths.
Participants who pre-register will be eligible for prizes.
An awareness program immediately follows the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lebanon Justice Center, 40 N. Second Street.
Click here to pre-register for the event.
For more information on the ABC House, visit ABCHouse.org.
Walk a Mile for Child Schedule of Events
- 8:00 AM – Check In Opens
- 8:50 AM – 5K Line Up At Start Begins
- 9:00 AM – 5K Begins
- 9:05 AM – Walk A Mile Line Up At Start Begins
- 9:15 AM – Walk A Mile Begins
- 10:00 AM – Program Begins