You can help 'Stop the Tears' during National Child Abuse Prevention Month by participating in the United for Families 5K Fun Run race or one-mile walk.

· When: Saturday, May 5 - registration at 7am, run/walk starts 8am, awards ceremony and breakfast 8:45am, family activities 8-11am

· Where: Town of Tradition

· Who: All are welcome - business teams must pre-register by April 26

· Why: Event proceeds will go to services provided to abused and/or neglected children in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

· What: A 5K race or a 1-mile walk, a kids run; plus family activities, games and more.

Business groups are invited to sponsor four-runner teams by submitting a roster to United for Families by April 26.

Registration is $20 per adult runner, $10 for those under 18, $200 for a business team of four. Free t-shirts and goodie bags to the first 125 participants (pre-registration guarantees a t-shirt).

In Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties, approximately 1000 children are currently cared for in homes other than their own; with 400 in foster care and another 600 receiving services while living with relatives. United for Families partners with Hibiscus Children's Center, Exchange Club CASTLE, the Children's Home Society and others to provide services to foster children, at-risk children and their families.

To pre-register or for more information about the fun run or United for Families, call (772) 398-2920 ext. 292 or visit www.unitedforfamilies.org. Fun Run sponsors include HouseWall Garage Systems, Zeno Office Solutions, Hometown News, Gold's Gym, Crispers and the Sailfish Striders.