By Jeff Garrett, Correspondent, Conshy Recorder 02/20/2008

It was tough to find a parking spot on Saturday night at Fraternal Order of Police No. 4 for the Hogs and Honeys Valentine's benefit to aid the Montgomery County's Child Abuse Advocacy Center.

That's because the outpouring for the post-Valentine's Day benefit for abused and neglected children drew so many patrons that it even overwhelmed some of its organizers.
The organizers got by with just a little bit more than a little help from their friends. Tables were chock full of auction items decorated in red and pink decor to give that special Valentine's Day touch to a crowded FOP Hall.
"So many of these auction items came were donated, which really helped. The help from the community has been incredible," said Sue Gardy, who's husband, Sam, did a lot of the legwork to make the night happen.
Losing the point of the evening was something the organizers were not going to let happen, and so, District Attorney of Montgomery County Risa Vetri Fermen, gave a speech that kept the mission of Mission Kids alive in the patrons' hearts and minds.

"These kids are vulnerable and it makes me angry when they are neglected," said the non- profit 's Executive Director, Abbie R. Newman, R.N., J.D., as one who cares deeply in this Mission's mission.
"'Mission Kids' is out to help those kids who are sexually or physically abused. I can't think of anything worse. This is a way to get through to the community about a criminal cause and it says to me that we are in touch and its very gratifying to see."
That feeling was backed up by patron, Robert Fisher of Norristown. "It's a great cause to help and nice to see all of these people come out for it. Plus you know the proceeds will go to to where they should," into programs to help disadvantaged youths, he said.
Added Coley Reynolds, a Whitemarsh resident and assistant to Fermen, "It's a great outpouring and its easy to support those who are abused by helping the center," with a cause like this.
Mission Kids depends on the donations from corporations and individuals to ensure the success of it's endeavors, as its literature says, adding that it would like to r aise $ 1 million to make this dream a reality. The organization intervenes in families where there is abuse or neglect after thorough investigation and seeks to prosecute those adults who are making lives unsafe or unhealthy for children.
Perhaps this is why the goal of raising $1 million is so lofty. Saturday's night affair may have helped raise the pink and red flag enough to have penetrated the minds of many who will further assist the Mission in its activities.
"The FOP gave us the lodge at a very inexpensive price," added Gardy, appreciative, like her husband and many others for the time, resources and gifts that made Saturday night's Valentine's Day party a shining success in the face of a horrible civil injustice like child abuse.

©The Recorder 2008