JOIN FOR CHILD CARE STAY FOR SELF-CARE
OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE OFFICERS PARTICIPATE IN THE REDBUD.
2020 Redbud Events Saturday, April 4 Family Fun Events 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. PAL will provide pre- and post-race activities and entertainment. 1-mile Woof Walk, after 1-mile fun run Enjoy a stroll with your dog in this NEW event! $15 registration includes a bandanna and treats for the dog and medal for the human. Sunday, April 5 Family Fun Events 5k, 1:30 p.m. West entrance to Waterford Blvd. on Pennsylvania Ave. $25-$40 registration fee per participant 2-mile Walk and Stroller Derby, 1:45 p.m. West entrance to Waterford Blvd. on Pennsylvania Ave. Decorate your stroller for a chance to win the “Best Decorated Stroller” prize! $25-$40 registration fee per participant; children in strollers do not have to be registered. Redbud Bash, 1 p.m. Nichols Hills Plaza, N Western Ave. & Avondale Dr. Enjoy food trucks, free family-friendly games and activities and entertainment. The bash is open to the community. Registration prices increase March 30. For information on all events, to register or to volunteer, visit redbud.org.
vehicle to teach life lessons, establish character and help kids succeed.” Around 450 volunteers, including teachers, police officers and community members, serve as coaches and mentors to students on more than 260 teams across all sports. The program has become so popular that last year OKC PAL had to turn away more than 1,000 student athlete hopefuls. “We get to our capacity but the need is still out there,” said Evans. OKC PAL works closely with metro nonprofit organizations Fields & Futures, which builds and maintains school athletic fields, and Cleats for Kids, providing sports equipment and gear to under-served athletes. A partnership with Feed the Children provides snacks and meals for student athletes. “When we all looked at each other and realized we met needs of the others, the programs completely transformed and exploded,” said Evans. “When we collaborate, focus on what we each do well and make programs more efficient, those resources go so much further.” OKC PAL relies solely on donations and grants, which made their selection as the Redbud’s 2020 benefactor especially sweet. Evans said the support and affirmation of the longstanding Oklahoma City institution means much more than the money itself ever could, both to him and the students he serves. “For us to be able to show [our students] that groups like this that don’t even know them care about their success goes a really long way with our students,” said Evans. “It warms your heart but also makes you realize this may be the first time that kid has heard [that message].” For more information about OKC PAL, including how to become a volunteer coach or mentor, visit okcpal.org.
ymcaokc. org
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 11
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