Benefit slated for advocacy center

The Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center will hold its annual fall fund-raiser "Cowboy Up For Kids" Nov. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at the Colbert Ranch near Bertram. Money raised will enable the non-profit organization to provide services at no cost to physically and sexually abused children and their family members in a seven-county area that includes Blanco, Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Mills and San Saba counties.

"The Cowboy Up For Kids event is an improtant fund-raiser for the center, enabling us to continue our mission of providing services in the seven-county area," said Deborah Keith, executive director for HCCAC. "Overall, grant funding is being decreased. We need to offset grant cuts to keep our financial budget in the black.

"Last year, we raised $40,000 after expenses. We hope Cowboy Up For Kids meets or beats that amount of fund-raising," she said.

The number of child victims continues to increase each year, Ms. Keith said. In 2006, HCCAC provided services to almost 300 children and their family members.

"We are into our 15th year of providing services," said Yvonne Evans, founder of HCCAC. "We need to raise money to provide the same high-quality level of services for each additional child and his or her non-offending family members.

"One of our goals is to expand our therapy program and have more building space for the therapist," she added. "We want to offer an internship program and eventually be able to hire a prevention specialist to educate the seven-county community on the effects of child abuse."

In addition to assisting local law enforcement agencies with abuse investigations and medical exam services, HCCAC provides individual, family and group therapy as well as parenting and self-esteem classes. The center also trains volunteers and pro- motes public awareness of physical and sexual abuse issues.

Tickets for Cowboy Up For Kids are $100 per person, and include a steak dinner provided by Eddie Eppler Chuckwagon Productions and a full evening of activities.

Sam Cox from KLBJ-AM will serve as master of ceremonies. KR Wood and his cowboy quartet band will offer Old West music, storytelling and performances.

The Jarrett Schaub Band will provide country and western music, and Diane Tatum of Hempstead will be on hand for guest photo opportunities with her prize Texas longhorn cattle. Guests also can enjoy Colbert Ranch hayrides, miniature horse races and other activities.

Cowboy Up For Kids tickets are available by calling HCCAC at (512) 756-2607 or by sending an e-mail to hccac@tstar.net.

For directions to the Colbert Ranch, located on FM 1174, visit the website at www.ride colbertranch.com.