Cherokee Sheriff's Office Launches 'Light the Way' 5K to Support Child Abuse Victims in Cherokee County

The twilight race at Canton's Veterans Park on April 11 raises funds for local children and families affected by abuse and violence

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is hosting its first Light the Way 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Veterans Park in Canton, with all proceeds benefiting the Anna Crawford Children's Center. The twilight event invites runners and walkers of all ages to take to the course as the sun sets over the Etowah River.

Participants can choose between a timed 5K race or a family-friendly 1-mile fun run — an intentional design that makes the event accessible to competitive runners, casual joggers, and parents pushing strollers alike. Registration is open online through Race Roster at raceroster.com/events/2026/117390/light-the-way-5k.

The Anna Crawford Children's Center is a Cherokee County-based child advocacy center that provides critical services for children and families affected by abuse and violence. As a local resource, the center works alongside law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, and other agencies to support victims — serving as a vital link in the county's coordinated response to child abuse cases.

That partnership with law enforcement makes the Sheriff's Office's role here more than symbolic. By organizing a community fundraiser of this kind, the department is channeling local energy — and foot power — directly into services that reach some of Cherokee County's most vulnerable residents. It's a visible reminder that the Sheriff's Office sees its mission as extending well beyond patrol cars and courtrooms.

Veterans Park, situated along the Etowah River in Canton, is one of Cherokee County's most familiar gathering spaces and a frequent host of community events throughout the year. Its open layout and riverside setting give the evening race a natural backdrop — the kind of place where a cause-driven crowd feels right at home as daylight fades.

The event is bilingual, with the Sheriff's Office promoting it in both English and Spanish. That detail is worth noting: it reflects Cherokee County's growing Hispanic community and signals that the Anna Crawford Children's Center is committed to serving all families, regardless of language or background.

Whether you're a seasoned runner chasing a personal record or a family looking for a meaningful Saturday evening out, the Light the Way 5K offers something harder to find than a finisher's medal — a direct way to invest in the safety and healing of children right here in Cherokee County.