Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton read the proclamation on Child Abuse Awareness Month to the crowd and then presented the proclamation to Campbell County Children’s Center CEO Tracie Davis.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Local leaders and a full force of members of the law enforcement community joined the staff of the Campbell County Children’s Center on Friday morning at the center offices for a ceremony kicking off April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and several events are planned throughout the month.

A full force of members of the law enforcement community was on hand at Friday’s ceremony.

For the first time in two years, the Campbell County Children’s Center is preparing to host its annual luncheon in person on Tue., April 19.

Tickets sales and sponsorships for the event are now available, according to Children’s Center CEO Tracie Davis.

“We are so excited to be coming together in person in April to do that,” Davis said. 

Kevin McNeil will be guest speaking at the event. McNeil is a Special Victims Detective, author, educator and motivational speaker.

“Kevin is a phenomenal speaker, and he will be giving a wonderful, powerful testimony,” Davis said.

Tickets are $25 per person and $250 for sponsorships for businesses. Keep an eye out on the center’s Facebook page for more information and when tickets go on sale. Also check Facebook for the Children’s Center’s “wish list” which will have items posted that the center may need to help with children transitioning homes and custody such as new clothing, hygiene items and more.

“Some of these kids may not have anything when they come into our care. We want to get them what they need,” Davis said.

She also said she wanted to thank everyone in the community and especially the center’s board for their support during the loss of longtime Chairman of the Board Ed Wheeler. 

Wheeler, who had been the chairman of the board of directors since 2007, passed away in November 2021. “He was a part of my family; he truly cared about the children of Campbell County, and it was a huge emotional loss for all of us,” Davis said. 

Before his passing, Wheeler had nominated Sandra Fuller as vice president of the board. After his passing, she was named board chair.

Board member Billy Ball has been named vice chair to fill her former position.

Fuller had been on the board for 10 years and had been an active board member.

“We were so thankful for her experience. The center has made a seamless transition as an agency to regroup. No one will ever take Mr. Wheeler’s place, but he left us in good hands and would be proud of the center moving forward with its mission to help the children of Campbell County. We are truly blessed by our board; I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people,” Davis said.

The Campbell County Children’s Center is a child advocacy center that was founded in 2001 to provide a safe haven for sexually and physically abused children.  Instead of being interviewed countless times at different locations, a child can tell their story to one caring and specially trained professional in a child-friendly environment where the child knows he or she will be safe.  The Children Center’s main office is in Campbell County with satellite offices in Claiborne and Union counties.

“We are so thankful for everyone’s support. It takes a village to raise these kids. There are so many people working behind the scenes to make all this happen,” Davis said. 

For more information, visit the Children’s Center website or Facebook @CampbellCountyChildrensCenter. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED -04/04/2022-6AM)