Karen Swartz Memorial 5K

This community event is to commemorate the memory of Karen Swartz. After Swartz retired from education at Rossford Schools in 1995, she became a CASA/GAL volunteer and advocated for numerous children as a CASA volunteer. She became the Volunteer Coordinator in 1998 until she retired in 2005.

Swartz served as the Interim Director for a few months in 2000. She mentored many CASA/GAL volunteers on being an effective advocate and her actions had positive impact on many children in Wood County. Her words and actions offered insight to the work she did on behalf of children and families.

The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/ Guardian ad litem Program (GAL) is to recruit, train, guide, monitor and maintain qualified volunteers. CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children who are before the court as a result of abuse, neglect and dependency. CASA/GAL volunteers serve as an independent voice throughout the juvenile court proceedings, until a safe and permanent home is found for each child.

All participants will receive a shirt if they pre-register, and as available on race day.