Hello Primate Readers! I realize this post isn’t exactly about veganism, or food for that matter. But a huge part of veganism is the compassion we feel towards animals, all animals – including humans. And one subpopulation of humans that I feel really need our compassion and help is at-risk teens and their families. If you’re in the Kansas City Metro area, consider participating and/or donating! And how about this for a deal, I’m going to be walking and for Primate readers, if you sign up to walk I’ll personally make and bring you a small batch of homemade cookies to take home after the walk!! But you have to let me know if you’ll be there in the comment section, so I know to bring you cookies   Oh yeah, and leashed pooches are allowed! Let your furry companion show support for at-risk youth as well!

Announcing the 5th Annual Kids 4 Character 5K Run and Walk

The 5th Annual Kids 4 Character Run and Walk is happening on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 7:30 -10:30 am at Corporate Woods, building 40, in Overland Park, Kansas.  There will be fun and excitement with food, refreshments, booths, prizes, medals, a raffle, a DJ and celebrity appearances, including 2009 Miss Kansas! The 5K welcomes participants at all levels and ages. There will also be a special Kiddie Dash, fun for kids under 10.

Proceeds go to Lifeskills Management Center to continue helping at-risk teens and their families. Lifeskills Management Center, (LMC,) is a non-profit agency which has served thousands of youth and families in Johnson County since its inception in 1982.

As part of its mission, LMC rejects no one for financial reasons.  Funds from the 5K run will help provide sliding-scale options. LMC challenges the community to take a step toward helping at-risk youth and families in Johnson County by registering for the Kids 4 Character 5K Run and Walk by mail at our LMC website or be green and register online.

A little bit about LMC projects: Two highly reputable programs are Crossroads and Project Sam. The Crossroads Treatment Program has worked in collaboration with the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center since 1982 to provide the only family centered correctional treatment program for juvenile offenders.  When discussing the idea of hope in a group therapy session, one current Crossroads participant stated:
“For me, hope is that I will have a future.  Hope to me is that I won’t continue using, that I will learn to cope with life.  Hope is that my mom will be able to make it year to year without having to ask anyone for help. Hope for me is that me and my father can have a good relationship, where we can both respect each other. Hope for me is that I will learn from my past mistake. That I will never give up. I hope I am changing.”

If you’re not in the Kansas City area, but would like to donate to a worthy cause…here is a paypal donation link:

http://mutualrespect.org/wordpress/?page_id=10

And remember, every little bit helps!

Happy Compassion for all Earthlings!