Annual Blue Envelope Campaign kicks off

Monday, 19 November 2012 by Matthew Girard

The Blue Envelope Campaign kicked off at Dead Fish Grill on Tuesday night. Envelopes will be mailed out soon. Belton residents will soon be receiving blue-colored envelopes in their mailboxes from the Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas asking for their help.

Now in its fifth year, the CACCT kicked off its annual "Blue Envelope" kickoff party at Dead Fish Grill on Tuesday night in hopes of raising money to help support abused children in the community.

"It's a child abuse awareness campaign, as well as a way to raise funds for our organization," CACCT Executive Director Michelle Carter said. "We have to raise 45 percent of our funds in the community, so this is our kickoff to get people excited about giving to the 'Blue Envelope' and making donations."

During the kickoff, a portion of Dead Fish Grill's patrons proceeds went to the CACCT to help facilitate the running of their many programs designed to help children and families in need.

"We provide services to the kids that have been abused and neglected," Carter said. "We served close to 750 kids last year through our programs. We did 440 forensic interviews, 67 children received trauma-focused counseling free of charge, 173 families recieved family advocacy, 253 were advocated in court and 134 children found 'Forever Families' through our CASA program."

Carter said the CACCT has been able to make a difference in numerous people's lives.

"We are doing great work," Carter said. "Almost 1,200 kids were confirmed victims of abuse in our community last year, so our services are important so that those families get the services that they need and the kids are advocated for. It's important to raise money as it is to raise awarness in our community."

According to the CACCT, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday, while only 1 in 10 will report the abuse.

"It's a cause that is important for us to take a stand for because the children are suffering," Carter said.

The "Blue Envelope" campaign will run throug the rest of the year. For more information about the "Blue Envelope" campaign, visit www.cacct.com.

• < Prev
• Next >