Secret Santas Needed

his year. A former stay-at-home mom, she is now the sole provider after her husband was incarcerated for sexually abusing their children.

Its stories like those that prompt the community to partner with the Child Advocacy Center and become Secret Santa's for child abuse victims.

The financial impact of child abuse is often overlooked. Families frequently have to move, change schools, pay attorney fees, and lose the perpetrator's income when the perpetrator is incarcerated for abusing the child.
"Without the Secret Santas, many abused children will not know the magic of Christmas," said Jennifer Gamble, Child Advocacy Center Family Services Coordinator.

The spirit of giving is alive at the Child Advocacy Center, but there are still families without a Secret Santa. There are three ways to get involved during the holidays:
• Sponsor an individual family with holiday gifts for the children and gift cards for food
• Sponsor an individual family with Wal-Mart or grocery store gift cards
• Sponsor the Child Advocacy Center through a special holiday donation or in-kind contribution

"The holiday season is a wonderful time to open your heart and give to a needy family," said Sharon De Boer, Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford and Cannon Counties. "It is the best feeling in the world to know that you made a difference in the life of a child."

For information on how you can get involved and be a Secret Santa to an abused child, contact Jennifer Gamble at the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County at (615) 867-9000 or Alissa Kalish at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at (616) 563-9915.