Local hometown heroes are scheduled to speak at the "Hometown Heroes Walk for Children" on Friday afternoon.

Our own hometown heroes, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, and Smryna Police Chief Kevin Arnold are the featured speakers at the Walk kick-off at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza. Murfreesboro City Schools Director Dr. Linda Arms Gilbert and former District Attorney General William C. Whitesell will speak at the walk reception at the Child Advocacy Center. Child Advocacy Center Director Sharon De Boer will be presenting awards to local Hometown Heroes.

The Child Advocacy Center is celebrating Child Abuse Awareness Month with the "Hometown Heroes Walk for Children" on Friday afternoon, April 29, 2016 at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, downtown on the square. Registration will begin at 12:00 noon, speakers at 12:45 p.m., and the Walk will begin at 1:00 p.m. The event will conclude with a reception at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 1040 Samsonite Blvd.

Congress declared April to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983. Since then, communities across our nation and here in Rutherford and Cannon Counties have taken this opportunity to raise community awareness about child abuse through candlelight vigils, pinwheel gardens, award presentations, and community events like the "Hometown Heroes Walk for Children."

The "Hometown Heroes Walk for Children" is a wonderful way for our community to show their support for child abuse victims. The only thing that would make it better would be if YOU would lace up your tennis shoes and join us," said Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Ryan Wallace.

You can become a "Hometown Hero" by being a sponsor or walking in the event. In Rutherford County, contact Child Advocacy Center Accountant Jessica Wauchek at 615-867-9000 or jessicawauchek@bellsouth.net. In Cannon County, contact Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Pruitt at 615-563-9915 or amandapruitt@bellsouth.net.