Swansea Rotary donates $15,700 to the St. Clair County Child Advocacy Center

Donations were raised during the paddle raise at the Club’s Rotary Round Up event

During a recent meeting, the Rotary Club of Swansea donated $15,700 to the St. Clair County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a nonprofit organization that provides a safe, child-friendly environment for conducting forensic interviews, support for the children and their families and counseling. The donation was made possible thanks to the generosity of those who contributed during the paddle raise of the Rotary Club’s annual dinner fundraiser, Rotary Round Up.

“On behalf of our Rotarians, I would like to thank everyone who supported our annual fundraiser, Rotary Round Up, which enabled us to make such a generous donation,” said Swansea Rotary Club President Ed Henrichs. “This donation will serve our community’s most vulnerable population, our at-risk youth, by helping to provide each of them comfort on their challenging journey.”

The CAC assists with investigations of sexual and serious physical abuse of children, as well as with interviews of children who have witnessed violent crimes. They work to reduce the number times a child has to repeat details of the incident, thus minimizing the trauma a child experiences through re-telling their story. One of their special volunteers, a black Labrador named Homer, is also an honorary Swansea Rotarian and attends Club meetings with his father, Swansea Rotarian Jeff Parker. Homer accompanies children in their interviews and sometimes, even their court proceedings.

“We are extremely grateful to the Swansea Rotary for choosing the CAC to receive the proceeds from the paddle raise. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Rotary Round Up attendees,” said Carolyn Hubler, CAC executive director. “While our funding allows us to provide core services for our families, other needs are often unable to be met. This funding will allow us to help children maintain normal activities and provide for emergency needs thereby relieving some of the pressures on caregivers during this difficult time. Sometimes normal activities which provide structure and routine for children are stopped due to lack of funding in times of trauma. This funding will allow us to provide for these needs.”

Members of Swansea Rotary meet weekly at the Thompson center in Mel Price Park and guests are always welcome to attend to learn more about the Rotary mission to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through a fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.

For additional information, visit the Swansea Rotary Club website at www.swansearotary.org or email [email protected].

Photos courtesy Swansea Rotary.

 

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org. To find a club near you visit https://my.rotary.org/en/club-search