Wednesday, April 13, 2011 8:16 am

It’s a fun way to take on a serious and growing problem in Cannon County.

That’s the best way to describe SAVE Fest 2011, which will be held May 6 and 7 at Dillon Park in Woodbury.

SAVE Fest is an annual event to help raise money and Domestic Violence Awareness. The funds go to help support Cannon County SAVE, our local Domestic Violence Agency. SAVE is a 501 c 3 agency that survives on fundraisers, local grants and private donations.

Events planned this year include live music, auction items, and games for kids. Among the performing entertainers will be RiverTown (AKA Reba McEntire's Band)  Gilley Boys, Lance Chandler the Black Collar Outlaw, RipTide,  Phly Dreams, JRB, 61 Seconds and more.

Incidents of domestic violence are reported almost every week in Cannon County. Victims require services such as counseling, food, clothing, personal hygiene items and sometimes shelter. Yet, SAVE currently receives no state, federal or county funding. A proposal has been submitted to the county for the upcoming physical year. SAVE's funding is extremely low.

SAVE provides services to all victims of violence. All services are free and include but are not limited to Orders of Protection, Counseling, Court Advocacy, 24 Hour Crisis Line, Assistance with Food, Clothing, Diapers, Transitional Housing, Emergency Shelter, Continued Education, etc. SAVE is a vital link to victims in our area to assist them in their fight to take back their lives.

SAVE also provides Domestic Violence Education/Awareness for Cannon County. SAVE has implemented a curriculum called SAFE Dates geared to our local high school students. SAFE Dates teaches respect, positive relationships, defines abuse/sexual assault and where to go for help and how to assist peers in abusive relationships.

SAVE also provides training for our local Head Start Program (Child Abuse Prevention/Domestic Violence), Senior Center Staff and Volunteers (Elder Abuse), and we just completed a 32 Hour County Wide Training in Advance Domestic Violence that was offered to 911, Woodbury PD, Cannon County Sheriffs Dept., Medical Personnel, and any other professionals working with victims of violence in our area. Again the trainings and classes are free to our county.

SAVE's goals are to Educate our Community and stop the spread of violence. So please come out and help support our cause and help us raise much needed funding to continue this vital services for Cannon County.

SAVE Fest will begin at 5 p.m. on both May 6 and 7. For more info contact 615-563-6690.