Mission Kids’ First Annual Speed Towards Hope Event Raises Over $175,000 Towards Child Advocacy Center

Norristown, PA, April 2, 2009— Mission Kids, a non-profit organization aimed at easing the criminal justice process for abused children in Montgomery County, raised over $175,000 at their First Annual Speed Towards Hope Event. The benefit, held last night from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Simeone Foundation Antique Car Museum, was a great success with an impressive 350 supporters in attendance.

CBS-TV 3 Anchor Pat Ciarrocchi hosted the event, where attendee’s bid on the chance to experience a day as a District Attorney with Risa Ferman, a day with Pennsylvania Representative Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg (Ms. Ferman and Mr. Shapiro were the event co-chairs), and a trip to D.C., including a private tour of the Capitol building, Senate and House passes, and VIP tours of the Library of Congress, Supreme Court and Kennedy Center from the office of Senator Arlen Specter.

Montgomery County District Attorney and co-founder of Mission Kids, Risa Ferman, also attended the event and spoke on the importance of building the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center.

“We’re thrilled with the outstanding level of support we’ve received,” said Risa Ferman, DA of Montgomery County and co-founder of Mission Kids. “Our aim is to provide a safe place for these children, a place where they can really focus on healing. The success of this event brings us one step closer to building the Child Advocacy Center.”

With an estimated 600 children victimized by abuse in Montgomery County each year,
Mission Kids aims to raise a million dollars to build and open the Child Advocacy Center. The Mission Kids Center will be the first of its kind in Montgomery County and is expected to open in mid 2009 and serve approximately 600 children a year.

Those who would like to make a donation to Mission Kids may contact Executive Director, Abbie Newman at 215-983-7336, or visit www.missionkidscac.org.

Click here to view photos from the event

About Mission Kids
Mission Kids is a 501(c)(3) corporation located in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. Founded in March 2008, Mission Kids was created by the collaborative effort of the Montgomery County District Attorney, the Police Chiefs of Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth to help ease the criminal justice process for abused children in Montgomery County. Mission Kids will serve as a child-friendly facility where abused children can receive the necessary support services to help them heal. The organization is in the process of renovating an historic farmhouse in East Norriton, PA, and anticipates opening in mid 2009.
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