Walk event at The Bridge to mark end of Child Abuse Prevention Month by

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the event, called Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, is the last of a series of events held by Bridge personnel in April to increase awareness of the abuse many children suffer.  “This event is a great way to wrap up the month with some fun,” said Shelly Bohannon, the executive director of The Bridge last year.

The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event begins at 9 a.m. at The Bridge’s Amarillo headquarters at 804 Quail Creek Drive.  It is a “family-friendly,” one-mile walk/run around the neighborhood, said Sarahbeth Hale of The Bridge.  She added that the first 100 people to register will receive a free t-shirt and swag bag.  

Each child who finishes will receive a small blue pinwheel replica of the more than 1,000 pinwheels that have been spinning in the breeze in front of the headquarters all month.  Each one represents a Panhandle child who has received help from The Bridge in 2023.  At the start of the month, Bridge staffers and local law enforcement put out 53 pinwheels in front of the Moore County Courthouse to represent the 53 Moore County children helped either in the Dumas branch office or in the Amarillo headquarters.

Hale said people often like to have their picture made with the pinwheels in front of the headquarters.  There will also be four foot high pinwheels available for photo opportunities.

Starbucks will be on hand with coffee and snacks.  Water will also be available.

The event is a joint effort with Get Fit Amarillo, who will have a large, blow-up arch as a starting and finishing point.

Hale said everyone is invited to attend.  Entry fees are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children, with all money going to support the operations of The Bridge.  People can register on The Bridge website or Facebook page.  Hale said last year more than 100 people took part.

Established in 1989, The Bridge was the first children’s advocacy center in the state.  Among other things, The Bridge provides a way for children who have allegedly suffered abuse to tell their story to law enforcement in a way that minimizes further trauma.  Bridge staffers help children and families get access to a variety of services to help in the healing process.  The Bridge serves all 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.

Texas law requires people who suspect child abuse to report it either to local police or to the Child Protective Services hotline via telephone at 1-800-252-5400 or internet at http: / /www.txabusehotline.org.