Nathan Harris and Kirby Jett Harris have a passion for helping, especially when children are the mission. They have worked tirelessly to plan, create and implement our Dream Big Charity Gala for over four years now, serving in various roles on the committee. This year they went a step further by becoming the 2018 Co-Chairs of our 11th annual Dream Big Charity Gala.
Below is an open letter that Nathan and Kirby wrote on why they volunteer and why it’s so important that the community help these children by attending the gala. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE
(letter written for the event program)
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’”
-Mr. Rogers
Welcome to the 2018 Dream Big Charity Gala! Your participation in tonight’s event is an extraordinary investment in the work of the Children’s Safety Center’s programs and dedicated staff and, most importantly, in the lives of the children they serve.
Thanks to generous organizations and individuals like you, all of the Children’s Safety Center’s services are FREE OF CHARGE to every client, every time. That means whether a family comes to the center once for their initial investigation of abuse, or every week for years of mental health therapy, cost will never get in the way of the healing services they need. You make it possible for children and families to get the vital support and resources they need to heal from child physical and sexual abuse.
As the Dream Big Charity Gala continues to grow, so has the need for the services provided by the CSC. In 2017, the center saw 679 new cases of abuse, just in Washington County. That’s one child every 13 hours! Through the first 6 months of 2018, new cases opened at the CSC are up almost 30% over last year. At an average cost of $1,600 per client, the center relies heavily on private donations to provide these services, and nearly 25% of that support comes from the community of individuals who participate in tonight’s gala.
Tonight, you will see lots of tiny handprints placed around the Fayetteville Town Center. These handprints are no different than our own at some point in our lives, or even of our own children’s. While these handprints have no name, they all have a story to be told. Each of these children has big dreams and a renewed hope for the future because of the support they received from the Children’s Safety Center.
As Co-Chairmen of the Dream Big Charity Gala, we would like to thank all of the committee members, volunteers, and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. These people continue to amaze and encourage us with their dedication and passion for the work of the CSC.
On Behalf of the Children’s Safety Center, we would like to thank you for your attendance and generous support of the 11th Annual Dream Big Charity Gala! All of the funds raised tonight will go directly to the local support of children in our community. The return on your investment is extraordinary – protecting our children, helping them heal, and allowing them to DREAM BIG!
Sincerely,
Nathan Harris – United Bank, and Kirby Jett Harris – Truity Credit Union
2018 Dream Big Gala Co-Chairs
