Rabyn Ratliff
VALDOSTA — The Children’s Advocacy Center will host the Seventh Annual Sporting Clay Shoot this weekend to support the organization’s mission of helping children in need.
Meg Giddings, office manager for the CAC, said the annual skeet shoot is the organization’s primary fund-raiser. The largest turnout for the event in years is expected.
The CAC of Lowndes County Inc. began nearly 10 years ago with the mission of minimizing trauma to children who have suffered sexual and physical abuse.
The organization is assisted by law enforcement investigators, pediatricians, mental health professionals, and members of the District Attorney’s Office, State Solicitors Office and the Department of Family and Children Services. Since its establishment, the organization has served more than 700 families in the area while providing a secure counseling environment.
“Prior to the CAC, children could be interviewed three to four times about abuse situations during a prosecution case, and that process alone can be very traumatic for a child. We work to minimize the interview time, and we are also there to provide council to the children we serve, as well as their non-offending family members,” Giddings said.
As the CAC has continued to grow through the years, the organization has seen an increase in staff and has gained a new facility.
With these expansions has also come an increase in general expenses, creating a strong need for additional funding. Proceeds from Saturday’s clay shoot will help the organization alleviate some of its expenses and will assist with the purchase of necessary supplies for forensic studies and toys and snacks to accommodate the children.
The annual clay shoot will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Southwind in Lake Park.
Giddings said that slots are still available for the event and asks that anyone wishing to participate pre-register and bring their own gun. Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to participate through sponsorship and support.
For information or to register for the clay shoot, call Meg Giddings at 245-5369.
