By Katherine Valadez |Staff Writer|

Child abuse victims across America will benefit from over $12,000 raised right here at CSUSB, if a few Coyotes have their way.

The Kappa Delta Sorority will hold a 5K run at CSUSB March 10 to raise money for the charities Prevent Child Abuse America and ChildHelp.

Last year $12,000 was raised and the sorority plans to raise more money for this year. The funds will go to prevent child abuse and help victims of abuse.

The Shamrock 5K Run/Walk 2012 is the last event held during “Shamrock Week,” which includes a basketball tournament in the Recreational Center. Last year, approximately 300 people attended the Shamrock event.

“This is our second annual event. I want to make it a lot bigger than last year. This year I want to raise at least $15,000. That’s my goal,” said Lindsay Kinman.

Kinman is vice president of community service for the CSUSB Zeta Zeta chapter of Kappa Delta. The Zeta Zeta chapter has 90 members.

In previous years Kappa Delta has hosted golf tournaments and dinners to raise funds, but they weren’t as successful, according to Kinman.

The sorority’s official local charity is ChildHelp. Prevent Child Abuse America is one of Kappa Delta’s national philanthropies. Both are dedicated to preventing child abuse in the U.S.

“ChildHelp has a village in Beaumont that houses children that have been victims of abuse. This year the ChildHelp staff will be running with us,” said Kinaman.

ChildHelp is a national organization that offers many programs and services including residential treatment services, child abuse prevention, education and training, according to the ChildHelp website.

Eighty percent of the proceeds from the Shamrock event go to ChildHelp. The remaining 20 percent goes to the national Kappa Delta to give it to Prevent Child Abuse America, according to Kinman.

The Shamrock event is supported by other organizations at CSUSB. Last year, several fraternities on campus helped out and ASI also supported the sorority’s event.

“Once a year, we raise funds for the cause. Last year we raised $12,000 in that one week,” said Kinman.

Kappa Delta also plans to sell bracelets and pinwheels to raise funds. Pinwheels are the symbol for Prevent Child Abuse America and have been sold by many Kappa Delta chapters as part of a national campaign.

This year the Zeta Zeta chapter will go to ChildHelp to decorate pinwheels with the children that live in the village.

“When you take a pinwheel home, you take a child with you. It personalizes the experience because they are real children with real personalities,” said Kinman.

There will be face-painting and bounce houses at Shamrock for the kids, as well as raffles and prizes for the participants. Awards and ribbons will be given to the fastest male, female and team.

The Shamrock 5K event is open to all students and the public.

Participants can also choose to either walk or run.