Stopping child abuse is a community
effort. An event held August 26 was a prime example of that, when the
Red Dragon Martial Arts
Center’s staff and students conducted their
Tournament of Champions. $10.00 of each entry fee was donated to the
Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center of Tennessee’s Fourth Judicial
District to help child-victims of severe abuse and neglect, including child
sexual abuse.
“We are very grateful to Mr. Whitworth, as well as his staff and
students at Red Dragon Martial Arts
for their support”, said Barry Fain,
a charter member and president of Safe Harbor’s board of
directors. “Red Dragon’s students turned out in force, not
only to compete in this tournament, but to support other youth that have been
fallen victim to sexual abuse, severe physical abuse and neglect. That
makes for true champions in my book.”
Students competed in a host of
categories, with everyone taking home a medal. But, the real winners of
the day’s events are the substantial number of children throughout the
Fourth Judicial District (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson & Sevier counties).
“We hope to see even more
businesses throughout the district step up and help Safe Harbor raise
awareness of the crisis of abuse facing our children. The more we keep
the issues of severe abuse and neglect in the public’s consciousness,
the more responsive we will become and the better we will be able to serve
these child-victims”, adds Donna Koester, Safe Harbor’s executive
director. Safe Harbor currently has other events in the planning stages
with businesses and organizations in the judicial district. Local
residents are encouraged to watch for details of these events.
The Safe
Harbor Child
Advocacy Center
is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization working to serve child-victims of severe abuse and neglect, ages
birth through 17 years of age, in the four counties that comprise Tennessee’s
Fourth Judicial District. Safe Harbor is continually looking for
volunteers to help fulfill their mission. Everyone has a gift or talent
that can help the children of the Fourth Judicial District. To learn
more, contact Donna Koester by phone at (865) 453-2638 or e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. You may also visit Safe Harbor’s
website at www.SafeHarborCAC.com.
