Reduce CHILD ABUSE Now!

Apr 28, 2018 at 07:03 am by bryan


Child Abuse Prevention Month is ending in a few days, and our local hometown heros walked for the Child Advocacy Center a week ago, but law enforcement, child welfare and other officials vow to reduce this tragedy and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

Child Advocacy Center Board President Terry Fann said, "We are grateful to all the Hometown Heroes on the Child Protective Investigative Team that make a difference every day in the lives of child abuse victims."

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The Child Protective Investigative Team investigates child abuse cases and helps children and families heal from the trauma. Team members include the Child Advocacy Center, Department of Children's Services, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Murfreesboro Police Department, La Vergne Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, District Attorney's Office, Our Kids Center, and the Guidance Center.

Last week over 400 people gathered at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza under a clear blue sky for the opening ceremonies. Our own Hometown Hero Mrs. Tennessee Lashan Mathews Dixon was the event emcee. Mathews led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Rutherford County Color Guard presented the flag.

After opening remarks from Terry Fann and Rutherford County Schools Director Don Odom, the ceremony took an emotional turn as five Hometown Heroes were honored for their dedication to child abuse victims. The 2018 Hometown Heroes Awards were presented to Don Odom, Chief Mike Walker, Shannon Romans, and Terry Fann. Retired District Attorney General William C. Whitesell presented the final Hometown Hero award in memory of retired District Attorney General Guy R. Dotson, Sr.

The two mile walk concluded at the Child Advocacy Center with a reception, picnic lunch, and music courtesy of DJ "Rowdy" Yates. Local restaurants and community partners donated food including PATCO, CoreLife Eatery, Department of Children's Services, DoubleTree by Hilton, Lewis Bakery, O'Charleys, Zaxby's, and the Child Advocacy Center board and staff.

Over $30,000 was raised for the Child Advocacy Center to provide crisis intervention services free of charge to child abuse victims and their families. Event photos are available on the agency's website at cacrutherford.org.

Community partners included presenting sponsor Project One Four A David Price Foundation, Junior League of Murfreesboro, Amazon Fulfillment, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Bratton Bros. Services, Bridgestone La Vergne Plant, Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Murfreesboro, Emergency Physicians of St. Thomas Rutherford, Ferrous Processing & Trading Co., Franklin Synergy Bank, Hawkins Asphalt Paving, IBEW Local Union 429, Lewis Bakery, Middle TN Association of Realtors, Middle TN Natural Gas Project Hometown Help, Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club, Murfreesboro Young Professionals, NovaCopy, Ole South Properties, PATCO, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Rogers Group, Rover, Smile Doctors Braces, St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Steel Technologies, Sudsy's Car Wash, Waldron, Fann & Parsley, Walmart DC 6062, Bill and Lucy Whitesell, Dana Womack State Farm.

The event was chaired by Sgt. Paul Mongold and Officer Amy Norville with the Murfreesboro Police Department. Hometown Heroes committee members included Beth Binkley, Venessa Hyer, Det. Kelvin Jones, Brandie Justice, Det. Andrea Knox, Lisa Marchesoni, Officer Sheree Robertson, Shannon Romans, Tracy Sheppard, Victoria Sullivan, Kristina Troglen, Jessica Wauchek, and Det. Michael Yates.

Child Advocacy Center Director Sharon De Boer commented, "The Child Advocacy Center had an amazing Hometown Heroes Walk Committee. We have hosted 9 walks starting with Andrea Walks for Tennessee's Children in 2004 and this committee worked their hearts out to make this our best attended walk. We were so excited that 425 people registered to walk this year to show their support of child abuse victims! The Hometown Heroes on the committee donated their time, talents, musical abilities, and cooking skills to make the walk a huge success!"

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