Child Development Resources is working to create a community of superheroes.
The nonprofit that provides services to babies and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays has started a program to recognize local business leaders while drumming up support for an upcoming 5k race.
CDR’s Pass the Cape Challenge kicked off Thursday by awarding a superhero cape to Hunter Creech, a CDR board member and the CFO of Branscome Inc., a highway and general contracting company whose headquarters are in James City County. The presenting sponsor of CDR, Branscome also employs the race chairwoman Janine Sabo.
Creech then had the duty, within 48 hours, to select the next business or business leader to earn the right to don the getup.
Creech chose Denley Brown of A+ Concrete, and from there the cape has started flying quickly around the area, being presented by CDR staff.
Marsha Hargette, CDR’s director of development, said the challenge was designed to bring visibility to the Aug. 9 race, which has a superhero theme this year. The new program specifically targets local businesses.
“It’s a community that we’re trying to really get our name out there with,” Hargette said. “We’re trying to find more businesses to be community supporters of ours, and this is a really fun way to get businesses more involved as well as get them to know more who we are and what we do.”
In addition to the cape and the glory, each honoree also receives a packet of information about CDR.
It is a strategy that has already reaped results: All of the cape recipients have signed up for teams and will be participating in the race. CDR requests they form a team or make a donation with the passing of the garment.
Salon Mizu in Newport News, which earned the cape after A+ Concrete, has expressed interest in sponsoring in the event.
That support would have come about if not for the challenge, Hargette said.
She has gone along to the cape ceremonies, which will continue up to race day.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s really fun watching the person get the cape, get the challenge, throw it on and start walking around,” Hargette said.
As those who earn the cape are asked to wear it for the day or display it prominently, the program also shows off CDR to anyone with whom the community member interacts. One recipient wore the cape out to lunch.
It has been nerve-wracking for Hargette to hand the cape — and the power — over to someone else to bestow, but she is confident recipients will use their authority for good. She said those chosen so far have taken seriously the responsibility of selecting the next business leader to wear the cape.
All have been thrilled and honored to be thought of by their peers, and to put their efforts to a children’s charity cause, she said.
“I think that at the end of the day everybody who was going to get this cape is going to do something good with it,” Hargette said.
Follow the passing of the cape with CDR’s Facebook page.
For more information about the CDR Superhero 5k, click here. Early bird registration for $30 ends today.
To learn more about CDR, visit its website.
