Race to Support Kids: 2022 Redbud benefits The CARE Center
Since 1983, Oklahoma City’s Redbud Classic has attracted more than 300,000 participants for the running and cycling events and raised more than $900,000 for local charitable organizations. Every year the organization partners with a local nonprofit as the beneficiary of race proceeds, and for 2022, organizers selected The CARE Center.
What is The CARE Center?
The CARE Center is Oklahoma County’s only children’s advocacy center, and it is dedicated to preventing child abuse and providing opportunities for healing and hope for children who have experienced abuse in Oklahoma County.
“At The CARE Center, we believe every child has a voice, and we are here to listen,” said Callie Joy Ridley, communications coordinator for The CARE Center. “In an effort to support the healing process, we have created a calm, child-centered space, and in partnership with our multidisciplinary team, we offer holistic care for every child who visits The CARE Center.”
When a child in the metro experiences abuse, law enforcement refers them to The CARE Center. Teams of law enforcement investigators, child protective services, assistant district attorneys, medical professionals, mental health professionals and family advocacy personnel work together on investigations, treatment and management of these cases.
“We are here to ensure the best possible outcome for children, while creating a caring, supportive and safe environment for the brave children we serve,” said Ridley.
In 2017, The CARE Center debuted the ROAR program, a child-based education program that teaches children ages 4 to 8 how to protect themselves from abuse. The interactive and easy-to-implement lesson is free for participants and designed to be taught in a classroom or a group setting. Families can also access a virtual ROAR program, plus listen to the book Rex Finds His ROAR, download coloring sheets and access a parent guide with tips on keeping kids safe. Since the program’s creation, The Care Center has educated 40,000 metro children about body safety! For more information about ROAR or how to support the organization, visit carecenter-okc.org.
2022 Redbud Events
Saturday, April 2
10 Mile Bike Fun Run Ride, 7 a.m. start
Registration fees start at $40
30 Mile Bike Tour/50 Mile FONDO, 7 a.m. start
Registration fees start at $40
*The 50-Mile Fondo offers registrants the opportunity to participate in a challenge to be crowned King or Queen of the Mountain (During the 50-Mile Fondo, a 2.8-mile segment will be separately timed and provide a unique challenge for participants to tackle).
1-Mile Fun Run, 11 a.m.
Nichols Hills Plaza, N Western Ave. & Avondale Dr.
Perfect for kids ages 1-12, activities begin at 11 a.m. and the fun run begins at noon. $15 registration includes a shirt and medal, plus all participants will enjoy pizza and refreshments from Little Caesar’s Pizza.
1-mile Woof Walk, after 1-mile fun run
Enjoy a stroll with your dog! $15 registration.
Sunday, April 3
5k, 1:30 p.m.
Waterford Complex, NW 63rd & Pennsylvania
Registration fees begin at $25
10k, 1:30 p.m.
Waterford Complex, NW 63rd & Pennsylvania
Registration fees begin at $25
2-mile Walk and Stroller Derby, 1:30 p.m.
Waterford Complex, NW 63rd & Pennsylvania
Registration fees begin at $25
Redbud Bash, 12 p.m.
Nichols Hills Plaza, N Western Ave. & Avondale Dr.
Enjoy food trucks, free family-friendly games and activities and entertainment.
**All registrations come with a T-shirt, virtual goodie bag and access to the Redbud BASH at noon on Sunday, April 3, where there will be a variety of food from some of Oklahoma’s premier food trucks, beverages from COOP Ale Works and other sponsors, free family-friendly games and activities, music and other entertainment. To ensure you get your T-shirt size, register by Monday, Feb. 28.