Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry CASA Executive Director Melissa Sproveri (left) and Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director Melissa McLean try to find their way to Four Flags... the start line of the Rally Around CASA and CAC road rally to be held April 24.

It’s time to Rally Around some local non-profits.

First Lutheran Church of Warren was looking to start its traditional road rally after a few years hiatus.

“Pastor Jeff (Ewing) and I talked about it,” Gary Lester said. “We might as well make it a fund-raiser… a benefit.”

They thought about what entities might be appropriate and settled upon CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). They subsequently came up with a preliminary name for the event — Rally Around CASA and CAC, or RACC.

“April is Child Abuse Awareness/Prevention Month,” CASA Executive Director Melissa Sproveri said. “We had talked about coming up with a good time that works for all of us.”

The inaugural RACC will start around 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24.

It’s not a race.

“It’s a road rally,” Lester said. “It’s a timed event. If you finish too early, you took a shortcut and you lose points.”

He said organizers will hold a test run to see how long the course will take at the speed limit.

At the end of the rally, each team’s time and miles will be recorded. “You get points for having the right number of miles,” Lester said.

The course is not a matter of public knowledge. “Along the way, there are cryptic clues in the form of puns, bad jokes, riddles, etc., to guide you,” he said. “The participants will be looking through that guide book.”

In addition to keeping participants heading in the right directions, the guide will include some bonus point opportunities. Lester gave the examples of having to count the number of fire hydrants between two points and finding a year of death on a particular grave at a cemetery as some previous bonus points.

This event is not intended for one-person entries. “You need a team of like four people,” Lester said.

“It’s a good family event,” CAC Executive Director Melissa McLean said. “It’s fun to do. It’s COVID responsible.”

“That’s what appealed to us,” McLean said.

Participants will be asked for a donation of at least $10, and this year’s event will be limited to 25 vehicles.

Those interesting in signing up may contact Lester, the Rally Wrangler, at (814) 757-8449 or bearhaven@atlanticbb.net.

In addition to donations from participants, the organizers are hoping for corporate sponsorships.

“We’re soliciting sponsors,” Lester said.

United Refining is already on board and has provided a first-place award — a $50 gas card.

“All proceeds will be split down the middle,” Sproveri said.

Rally Day starts at 2 p.m. near Four Flags at the south end of the Veterans Memorial Hickory Street Bridge in Warren. The release of participants will be staggered. Once under way, participants should be done in under two hours.

In the past, the participants became pretty good at the event, Lester said. They asked for harder clues and more challenge.

But, since the event has been gone for a few years, the difficulty level will be reset. “No experience required,” Lester said.