4th Annual Walk To Sierra To Benefit Children's Advocacy Center Is Saturday

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Walk to Sierra started as a small event in 2009 to raise money for education programs at the local Children’s Advocacy Center. The event is the idea of Shannon Shaver and was started in memory of her niece, Sierra, who was a victim of Shaken Baby syndrome. Sierra died on April 27, 2006 from injuries sustained from child abuse.

In memory of Sierra and with the hope of sparing other families this trauma, the Walk to Sierra board of directors is committed to bringing a greater awareness to child abuse and its prevention through various local educational programs. One way we achieve this goal is with an annual fundraising event to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County’s (CACHC) educational outreach program. Walk to Sierra supports the CACHC’s mission to serve children who are victims of abuse through prevention, education & intervention. 

The Walk to Sierra is a family-friendly, carnival-like event that occurs every April and is a place where parents can bring their kids and have great family fun. The hope is that by bringing people together in this entertaining atmosphere we can help facilitate an open and honest discussion about child abuse, ways to recognize it and tangible ways to prevent it.

This year the Walk to Sierra will be held on Saturday at Renaissance Park from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “On the Rock” and Center Stage Dance Studio will be performing at the event. There will also be bouncy houses and arts and crafts for kids. Taco Sherpa will be at the event (as well as other food vendors) supporting the cause. Many local companies and individuals have donated items that can be bid on in a silent auction.

For additional information, please contact Heather Wilson at 400-8316 or email walk2sierra@epbfi.com.


World Refugee Day Open House Is Thursday

A World Refugee Day open house will be held Thursday from 12-4 p.m. at Bridge Refugee Services, 4791 A Hal Dr.  World Refugee Day, observed June 20 each year, was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. The community ... (click for more)

Forum On Child Support Program Set For June 27

Rep. JoAnne Favors has scheduled the second in a series of community meetings regarding issues related to the Child Support Program.  This meeting will be held on Thursday, June 27, from 1-8 p.m. at the Kingdom Center, 730 East M.L. King Blvd. Assistant Commissioner David Sanchez, for the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Child Support Program and additional program ... (click for more)

Claude Ramsey To Retire As Deputy To The Governor

Governor Bill Haslam on Wednesday announced that Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will retire at the end of August to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Chattanooga. He said the former Hamilton County assessor and then county mayor "has been integral to me on several key initiatives, including civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce ... (click for more)

Westfield Gives Emotional Testimony About Fatal Shooting Of Friend Bernard Hughes

An emotional Timothy Westfield on Wednesday told a Criminal Court jury how he was shot and how his friend Bernard Hughes was murdered almost three years ago at the British Woods Apartments. The witness identified Harold Francis "Bam" Butler, III, 33, and John "Cut Throat" Simpson as the gunmen. Simpson pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder and is expected to be a ... (click for more)

Our Criminal Justice System Is Broken

Today’s news that after a man was shot while coming to the aid of a friend, four were arrested (including two 13-year-olds) for robbery and attempted murder, followed by additional news that one of those arrested had previously pled guilty to aggravated burglary and was given a three-year suspended sentence, is further indication that our system of criminal justice is absolutely ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Colonel: ‘Tell My Sons’

In the Broadway play, “The Civil War,” there is an emotional song called “Tell My Father,” the words that a dying Union soldier on a distant battlefield asked to be delivered when the other troops got back home. The reason Lt. Col. Mark Weber sang that very song with his oldest son Matt was because the highly-decorated officer was fighting Stage IV intestinal cancer at the ... (click for more)