Murfreesboro – “The weather forecast for Friday is 73 degrees and sunny. That is perfect walking weather,” announced Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer. “Lace up your tennis shoes and join us for the 6th Annual Hometown Heroes Walk for Children.”
The Child Advocacy Center and the Rutherford County Child Protective Investigative Team hosts the annual Hometown Heroes Walk every year on the last Friday in April. They encourage the community to come out and walk to show their support of child abuse and child sexual abuse victims during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Event Details
Pre-Registration
Walkers are encouraged to pre-register for the event:
https://cacrutherford.networkforgood.com/events/26695-hometown-heroes-walk-for-children
Parking
Please park at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 1040 Samsonite Blvd.
Complimentary Shuttles
Complimentary shuttles will run from the CAC to the event kick-off at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Registration Check In
Check in at the event registration table from 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Music
DJ Richard Cook will provide the music at the Civic Plaza. DJ Michael “Rowdy” Yates will be the tune master at the Child Advocacy Center.
Speakers
Retired District Attorney General William C. Whitesell will kick off the event with the welcome speech at 11:30 a.m. Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer will announce the Hometown Hero Award winners. Child Advocacy Center Board Vice President Terry Fann will present the winners their awards.
Hometown Hero Awards
Five people who have dedicated their careers to helping child abuse victims will be honored with the 2021 Hometown Hero Awards. SSSHHH!!! It is a secret who is winning until they are announced!
Golden Sneakers Award
The Golden Sneakers Award will be presented to the business or organization that brings the most walkers to the event. Get your team together and maybe you can win!
Walk Route
The Hometown Heroes Walk for Children 2.5 mile walk will begin at 12 noon. Walkers will leave Civic Plaza, walk down South Church Street to Middle Tennessee Blvd, turn left onto Samsonite Blvd., and arrive at the Child Advocacy Center.
Look Up as You Walk
Det. Chris Pitts and Det. Tyler Smith will have the drone recording video of the event!
Stay Hydrated!
Department of Children’s Services will provide the first water station at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza. The second water station will be held at Sun Trust Bank and it will be hosted by Bridgestone La Vergne Plant employees. The final water station will be located at the Child Advocacy Center. The water was generously donated by Bridgestone, Dana Womack State Farm, and Michael and Lori Yates with Intero Real Estate Services.
Lunch
Lunch will be generously provided by Ray Clark with Fat Guy’s BBQ and will include pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, and cornbread. Double Tree Hotel is providing their delicious cookies for dessert.
Silent Auction
The silent auction is located at www.facebook.com/CACRutherford/ Place your bids in the comment section under the picture of the basket or item of your choosing until 12:00 noon on Friday, April 30th! Pick up your silent auction items at the conclusion of the walk. You do not have to walk or be present at the event to bid on the incredible silent auction items.
Tell the Community Why You are Walking
Visit the “I Walk Because” Kudoboard: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/5ansC9L1and tell us why you are walking.
Hybrid Event
The Board of Directors voted to host the event three ways this year. People who feel safe or have been vaccinated can participate in person. Participants who are being “COVID-careful” can view the event virtually through Facebook Live. Or you can choose to walk with your family and friends in your own neighborhood.
Cannot Attend, But Don’t Want to be Left Out?
Virtual participants can view the event online at: www.facebook.com/CACRutherford/
Presenting Sponsor
Hometown Hero David Price and the Project One Four Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the event. The community has generously donated to the event. View all the sponsors on the Child Advocacy Center website at www.cacrutherford.org.
Event Sponsors
It is not too late to be an event sponsor. Contact Development Coordinator Katie Enzor at (615) 867-9000 or email her at kenzor@cacrutherford.org.
Cost?
This is the best part – It is completely FREE to walk!
