Charity: working

Published 2:56 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2020

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County has announced that two annual fundraising events designed to support programs that aide children who have been physically/sexually abused will take place in September as originally planned.

The organization’s 7th annual designer purse “Blingo event” will be held at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler on Wednesday September 9 and Thursday September 10.

Development Manager Mary Margaret Ligon explained that the event will be set to take place in person during two separate nights to ensure that the staff can facilitate proper social distancing.

“Blingo is a ladies night out,” said Ligon. “The game give winners the chance to win designer purses. We will be giving away 17 purses and there will additionally be a silent auction that has about 50 items to bid on. Guests will be provided dinner, dessert, and two complimentary beverages.”

Attendees can purchase tickets as a group, as the organization isn’t selling individual tickets.

“We will sell sponsorship tables versus individual tickets,” said Ligon. “For example if a table of ten people want to attend, they can split the cost of the table between all ten attendees. All net proceeds funnel directly to the center to fund programs we have in place to provide safety and resources to our clients.”

The organization is dedicated to aiding and supporting children who are victims of child abuse as well as their caretakers. The organization often works in coordination with Child Protective Services and law enforcement and with other organizations to provide victims with any resources they may need, explained Ligon.

The organization runs a variety of programs to educate and protect children, and is partnered with all elementary schools and several middle schools of Tyler ISD.

“One of our programs is community education, so we go out into the schools currently in all of TISD elementary schools and some middle schools to educate kids with evidence based programs,” said Ligon. “We teach them what’s a safe touch and what is not, and what a good secret is versus a bad secret to educate them. You’d be surprised through that education how many outcries we get. They need a trusted adult that listens and believes them. The biggest reporters are educators, the teachers in the schools. That program is essential for our center.”

An additional key service offered by the organization is providing the children and their caretaker therapy and access to a highly trained professional in interviewing children, and connecting them to the resources they specifically require.

“The client services department program essentially is a direct contact with the child and caregiver,” she said. “The CPS report will schedule an interview hand in hand with law enforcement so the child can tell their story to interviewers trained to interview a child in an appropriate manner, which can be used in court if need be. Family advocates will walk alongside the client helping them cope in any way they need, and will help them find outside resources through other non profits, such as food and clothes. Therapists in our center provide complimentary cognitive behavioral therapy no matter how long the child may need it we offer at no cost.”

More detail can be found about the programs, ways to donate, and ways to get involved on the organization’s website www.cacsmithcounty.org.

In addition to the “Blingo” event, September 9 will also kick off an online auction that is open to the community through September 30.

“The 21st annual bids for kids will start September 9 and end September 30, and can be accessed through the link Bidsforkids2020.ggo.bid.

Bids for kids is online auction kicks off smaller event online option entire community mobile device or computer about 100 items community can bid on. Small fundraiser in addition to bingo raising funds for what we do. Sep 9-shut down sep 30.We have a range of different things value 25-500 or 1000 it can be gift cards basket of goodies trips variety of options of items