PALESTINE, Feb. 24, 2012—The third annual benefit for the Anderson County Blankets and Bears Children’s Fund, “Spring Bling, Dinner and Dance” will be held at the Ben E. Keith Community Room at 2019 W. Oak Street in Palestine on March 3 starting at 7 p.m.
 
Child abuse has increased 134 percent since 1980. The high jump in child abuse and the shocking statistics highlights the frightening lack of public knowledge. Since Sept. 1, 2011, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has served 98 children in 55 cases in Anderson County. Some of these cases have achieved permanency or are closed cases.
 
Bring a smile to a child’s face by donating blankets and bears to the fund. Blankets and Bears Children’s Fund is a sub-fund of the Texas Area Fund Foundation, Inc., a tax exempt organization. Monetary contributions can be made directly to the East Texas National Bank Trust Department making checks payable to the Blankets and Bears Children’s Fund or by calling Sandra Lane at 903-922-0684.
 
Tickets for the event on March 3 are $40 for a single person and $75 for a couple. Tables of eight can be purchased for $450. Tickets are available at Texas First Title Company at 601 East Lacy Street or by calling 903-723-5393.
 
Credit cards are accepted to reserve tickets and picked up at Will Call at the event.
 
The event on March 3 will include dinner and live entertainment. Palestine Regional Medical Center’s Chef Ken Owens will be providing the meal and the Elektratones will be entertaining. Lee Loveless Photography will be offering portrait packages for the evening.
 
The intent is for the Blankets and Bears Children’s Fund to be a special community outreach program as a sub-fund of the Texas Area Fund Foundation, Inc. We provide cuddly blankets and teddy bears to children during times of loss, injury, grief and or trauma. The blankets and teddy bears will be donated to local agencies, public safety officials, shelters, hospitals, and certain not-for-profit organizations assisting children in their time of need. We hope to comfort children affected by:
• The trauma of sexual abuse or domestic violence
• Removal from the home by a public agency
• Disaster
• Serious illness
• Testifying in court
• A parent who died in the line of duty
 
One of the future goals of Blankets and Bears is to implement an educational program to assist local agencies to better serve the children in need and educate the community before abuse occurs. i.e.: Provide and fund literature, workshops, and helpful resources. We also plan to make available to the schools and help them provide the book, The Swimsuit Lesson, written by Jon Holsten, which is a powerful family resource introducing a simple, yet effective way for parents to educate their children about the danger of sexual abuse. www.theswimsuitlesson.co.
 
Abuse is abuse. It doesn’t matter what form it comes in. Children need to be protected and have a voice. By providing a child in turmoil, a Blanket and Bear, that might be the only thing that gives them the desire to want to awaken tomorrow and live another day.
 
The Blankets and Bears sponsors include Palestine Regional Medical Center, Ben E. Keith Beverages, Palestine Herald Press, Pumping Services, Inc., Red Hat Rentals, Jacque Johnston Realtor – Sussdorf Real Estate, Wal-mart Distribution Centers # 6005 & 6036, and Lee Loveless Photography.