Face painting, a jumping balloon and a 5K run - Court Appointed Special Advocates of the South Plains will host Speak Up for Kids 5K on Saturday.
CASA of the South Plains Development Director Rose Carkeet said the main goal of the fundraiser is to raise awareness of abused children.
"We will launch 400 blue balloons to symbolize the current number of children being helped by CASA," Carkeet said. "Then we will release 250 red balloons to symbolize the number of children who still need volunteers."
CASA trains and supports the individuals who seek to foster children who have been abused, she said. Last year Lubbock was the second highest city in Texas with confirmed victims of child abuse.
"This is my favorite event CASA does," Carkeet said. "It's fun to watch the children. It's also a great way to get involved in Lubbock, since there is a great need for volunteers in the community."
Texas Tech sorority Kappa Alpha Theta organized the CASA of the South Plains fundraiser to fulfill its commitment to the national sorority's philanthropy.
Jenna Lynch, Kappa Alpha Theta president and a junior interior design major from Rowlett, said the CASA run is an important event for the sorority.
"It's our signature event of the year," Lynch said. "It's year-round planning and organizing for the event, which probably started around November."
Theta has partnered with CASA of the South Plains for several years, but plans to take on a stronger leadership role for the event, she said.
"This is the first year we're running the whole thing ourselves, which is a really good opportunity," Lynch said. "It's a really good community event."
She said members of the sorority enjoy increasing community awareness about children in need.
"Lubbock has some of the highest number of child abuse cases per capita in the state," Lynch said. "That alone should encourage people to come out and raise awareness of the problem."
The CASA of the South Plains Speak Up For Kids 5K run will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Tech Frazier Alumni Center. It costs $25 to participate in the race, and a registration table will be set up in front of the center before the event Saturday.
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