(Poughkeepsie, NY) – The Champions Against Child Abuse Awards Celebration, held this past Thursday, May 4 at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, signified a renewed strength between the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CPCA) and its community partners, as they honored local first responders and reached a new fundraising milestone.
Over 300 community members, agency partners, and local government officials gathered at the agency’s signature event to honor Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Local 2393 and Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response for their dedicated efforts towards child safety. John Gifford and Catherine Dean Schulman, trustees of the Vincent and Carol W. Dean Family Charitable Foundation were also recognized for their extensive support of the agency’s mission, as well as Dutchess County legislator Randall Johnson, Flory’s Gas, Convenience, & Deli, and Montfort Brothers.
Throughout the evening, teamwork became a running theme as speakers from the County, the CPCA, and honorees all highlighted how the power of solid collaboration between agencies can produce a strong coordinated response to eradicating child abuse.
“This is a special time for the CPCA,” stated Renee Fillette, PhD, incoming board chair for the CPCA. “We have a highly skilled team, an incredibly supportive community of donors, and a new board of directors focused on accountability. Nights like tonight, when over 300 people come out in support of our mission, remind us that we are all in this together, and together, we can do great things for children of Dutchess County.”
The night continued to emphasize togetherness through its fundraising efforts. The combination of sponsorships, tickets, silent and live auction, and a mission moment that received one hundred percent participation, raised over $173,000 for the organization, becoming the most successful CPCA event in recent history.
“We have the solution to stop child abuse from happening,” stated Rachel Johnson, interim executive director for the CPCA. “We know our prevention programs work. We just need to do more of it. Having this tremendous encouragement from our community helps us reach every child and every family who needs us.”
Funds from the event will go directly towards supporting the prevention programming and support services offered at the CPCA, that create a safer Hudson Valley for children and families to grow up and live in.
About the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Founded in 1973, The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse’s mission has been to prevent child abuse and maltreatment in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Each year, the CPCA serves approximately 15,000 children and adults through prevention programming, support services, advocacy, and educational training.
