June 11, 2004
ROSELEE PAPANDREA
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Cindy Winstead was taking a walk earlier this year and was struck by a thought that wouldn't leave her.

"Angels have wings but no voices, so God created child advocates to speak out for those who can't speak up," she said.

She was thinking of 7-year-old Kayla Allen, who died last August from pesticide poisoning. Kayla's guardian, Carolyn Futrell, was arrested last month and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the child's death.

Winstead decided she needed to do something to bring attention to child abuse and started planning two events she hopes will raise money and awareness, she said.

A Walk to Remember, a benefit walk aimed at "stomping out child abuse," will be held Saturday in the Jacksonville Commons area, Winstead said.

It's up to the court system to sort out the details of Kayla's case, Winstead said. She's not interested in pointing any fingers. She just wants to bring awareness to child abuse in Onslow County.

"I firmly believe that God inspired me to do something positive for the memory of this little girl who died a senseless death," Winstead said.

Winstead said she believes if people don't address child abuse, it's as if it doesn't exist.

"It's only when you bring it to the light that you can find the truth and find a solution to the problem," she said.

Anyone can participate in the walk, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Jacksonville Commons Elementary and end in the same place. Participants will walk the 3.2 miles around the Commons.

The entry fee for the walk is $10. T-shirts are $10. A drawing will be held at the end of the walk for door prizes.

The money raised at the event will be used to hold a second fund-raiser on Aug. 22 at Wilson Bay Park. All proceeds will be donated to Hope4Kidz, which is an organization in Texas aimed at improving legal protection of parents and children involved in adoption. It also informs and assists people involved in adoption and the care of children.

Joanna Wright, the founder of Hope4Kidz, contacted Winstead in January and asked her to speak out for abused children in Jacksonville. Winstead decided to do her part, she said.

"I can only change the world one mind at a time, and I have to start with mine," Winstead said. "I would encourage everyone to take that first step and walk against child abuse."

Donations can be made to A Walk to Remember and sent to Cindy Winstead at 130 Wilson Court, Jacksonville, N.C. 29546. Information about Hope4Kidz can be found on www.hope4kidz.org. For more information about the walk, contact Winstead at 455-6057.

Contact Roselee Papandrea at rpapandrea@jdnews.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 238.