(Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Child Advocacy Center has partnered with its community to host an in-person 5k event with the hope of being able to purchase medical equipment that will benefit all-aged victims of sexual assault.

According to Chenango County Child Advocacy Center Program Coordinator Joanne Smith, the 5k race is only the finale to a month long effort to raise awareness for child abuse.

“The CAC is collaborating with Live Event NY to “Shine Blue for Hope” during the month of April,” said Smith. “Community members will see blue lights and blue pinwheels all around the city of Norwich.”

“The blue pinwheel is the national emblem of child abuse prevention, and the blue lights serve as a reminder of the need for community compassion and involvement when it comes to child abuse prevention.”

Smith said with COVID-19 impacting events throughout the world last April, her organization hoped to do something big this year, and the community has been incredibly supportive.

“We were looking at ways to help the community recognize this need, and now all of a sudden this thing has taken off,” she said. “We have three food trucks coming, the City of Norwich’s Common Council is on board, and several sponsors including NBT Bank, Visions Bank, and NYCM Insurance have made generous contributions.”