Monday, October 19, 2009 4:04 pm

The Child Advocacy Center was the $5,000 Runner-Up Winner in the national Christie Cookie Contest. The Child Advocacy Center was the only agency in Cannon and Rutherford Counties that was in the Top 12 contenders in the nation in the contest.

“The Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers want to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to our supporters in Cannon County who voted for the Child Advocacy Center in the contest," Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Burks said. "We could not have won this prize without all of your support!”

There were two other Tennessee non-profit organizations in the Top 12 and they were Coffee County Child Advocacy Center in Manchester, TN and St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. You may view the complete listing of all of the winners on the Christie Cookie website at www.christiecookies.com.

The Child Advocacy Center works as a team with Department of Children's Services, law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office to investigate child abuse cases.  The funding from the contest will go to support services for child abuse victims, child sexual abuse victims, and drug endangered children in Rutherford and Cannon County.

Board Vice President District Attorney General William C. Whitesell, Jr. said, “I am overwhelmed by the response. It is unbelievable to me that across the United States that we came in second. That just shows the dedication of the staff and volunteers at the Child Advocacy Center.”
 
Christie Cookies will be coming to Murfreesboro to present the check on Wednesday, October 21 at 12:00 noon at the Child Advocacy Center’s Murfreesboro Office. The Cannon County community is welcome to join the Child Advocacy Center in accepting this check from the Christie Cookie Company.

“Cannon County and Rutherford County are family oriented communities that value its children," former Board President Dr. Linda Arms Gilbert said. "For the last 10 years, people in the community have supported the Child Advocacy Center and the children and families that are served at the CAC. The Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers are very grateful to the Cannon and Rutherford County communities for voting for the CAC and helping us win the Christie Cookie contest.”