BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
A fundraiser has started that will allow for children in crisis/need to have a cuddly Hug A Heart Bear. These bears will be directed to children who are involved with either CASA or the Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center.
Deborah Keehn and Lorinda Wade, both residents of Autauga County, are consultants for the Mary and Martha organization, and are taking pre-orders now through Sept. 19 for the bears.
Deborah is working to help the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Autauga County. Lorinda is helping the Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center which serves multiple counties in our area including Autauga and Elmore. See more information about these two organizations below in this article.
Both agree there is a child in the community that needs to know they are loved. This cuddly Bear is wanting to give them a hug.
Any donations are appreciated, and the bears cost $10 each.
“Each year the 2nd week of September the Mary and Martha organization shares a Ministry called Week of Encouragement,” said Deborah Keehn, a consultant for Mary and Martha. “We are encouraged to join with a ministry in our area to provide them with an item from our company that they could use in their ongoing ministry. We ask for sponsors to purchase/donate for these ministries.
Keehn orders the specially priced bears in bulk, and pays the shipping and tax.
“There are vulnerable children in Autauga County who are attending court hearings, adjusting to new homes and navigating the child welfare system every day. CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for the best interests of these children,” Keehn said.
She added that CASA’s goal is to provide a dedicated CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child to give them a voice and help them thrive in a safe and loving home.
As for Lorinda, and her desire to help the Butterfly Bridge CAC, she said, “My heart goes out to every child that is abused and victimized. I have known some people that were victims. We didn’t have this type of organization a long time ago. There are 14,000 children in Alabama have been abused or neglected and are now in the Foster Care System.”
Lorinda continued, “Butterfly Bridge exists to minimize trauma and help rebuild little lives shattered by abuse . They offer a non- threatening environment to minimize any further trauma during the justice and restoration process.”
If you are interested in donating to these programs, you can sponsor via:
FOR CASA –
Venmo: DeborahKeehn @Angelinmypocket
CashApp: $DebbyKeehn
PayPal: Dlkeehn57
Check or Cash is also accepted. For more information, you can contact Deborah at angelinmypocket@me.com
FOR BUTTERFLY BRIDGE CAC –
You can pay with these :
Venmo : @Lorinda-Wade
Cash app: $LorindaWade
PayPal : @Lwade633
Check or Cash
For more information Email: Lowade633@yahoo.com
WHAT IS BUTTERFLY BRIDGE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER?
Every day children victimized by abuse come to the Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center where they find caring professionals and community partners who dedicate themselves to helping them through the nightmare of abuse and neglect. The Center provides a friendly environment where children can safely tell their story and receive the support they need. Within the Center, families find support, resources, and most importantly a place where healing begins.
HOW WE DO IT:
Providing security, restoration, and justice at the Children’s Advocacy Center is a team effort. We have a close relationship with local law enforcement, child protective services, therapists, caseworkers, interns, nurses, and volunteers, forming a strong team able to handle the most difficult of situations. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with the District Attorney’s office. Every day our team provides families security, support and the resources they need for restoration to some semblance of normal life.
OUR MISSION:
Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center offers a safe, child-friendly environment to children victimized by abuse or neglect as it carries out the mission to provide restoration and justice in their lives. Our mission is illustrated by this video:
OUR VISION:
The vision of Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center is that every abused child will receive the services, advocacy, and support needed to move beyond the abuse to a life full of possibilities.
ABOUT CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates of Autauga County – www.autaugacasa.org
Mission: The mission of CASA of Autauga County is to ensure every abused, neglected, and abandoned child in Autauga County has a competent, caring volunteer appointed to advocate in court for the child’s best interest.
ABOUT MARY AND MARTHA
Imagine a faith-based company where you create your own schedule, share inspirational products, earn income, & engage in community—a sisterhood. The Mary & Martha sisterhood is a community of women across the nation that builds one another up in faith and business.
Our vision is to bring eternal hope and encouragement to every home, every day!
We sell beautiful products, grow teams and build businesses—but Mary & Martha is so much more. We gather in homes, laugh, share life and encourage one another.
Our Founders: Over 2,000 years ago Mary & Martha served others in their home. In fact, the best guest ever, Jesus, had dinner there more than once. Their story teaches having people in your home is not about entertaining, it’s about the people! Perfection is not the point. People are the point. Welcoming others is love in action! Join us as we bring hope and encouragement to many.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.maryandmartha.com/
