On Saturday, February 20th, the Washington Area Chapter hosted its fifth annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, with the theme “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives.”  Nearly 300 people gathered at the Sheraton Premiere to shop at the boutique, bid on both silent and live auction items, and enjoy the fashion show featuring ladies’, teens’ and children’s fashions modeled by local children and their moms.  The goal of the Fashion Show and Luncheon was to raise awareness about child abuse and to raise funds to support Childhelp’s advocacy, treatment and prevention programs in our area.  

Award winning ABC7/WJLA-TV and Washington Business Tonight anchor Rebecca Cooper, who served as emcee, recounted her personal experiences as a reporter covering the stories of abused children in DC and the importance of advocacy centers at a time when funding is being drastically reduced. “In a time when Child Advocacy Centers are overflowing with children in desperate need, funding proposals seek to eliminate all funding for these centers.” She encouraged everyone to get involved. “Many centers will close their doors as they are solely dependent upon Virginia Government funding. By donating to Childhelp, valuable programs for at-risk youth and treatment for those that have been abused can continue to thrive. Research has found that there is a $1,318 cost savings per case when the CAC model is used in responding to child abuse cases versus the traditional Law Enforcement/Child Protective Services investigation approach.”  She reminded the audience that 4 children die every day as a result of child abuse and that there are nearly 3 million reports of child abuse annually.

A highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of the “2010 Champion for Children” award to Connie Benedetto, child advocate and national speaker on child abuse.  In presenting the award, Washington Area Chapter President Christin Klaff said, “Connie Benedetto has worked tirelessly to protect children from being abused. “Connie Benedetto has worked tirelessly to protect children from being abused. Connie has spoken out against such abuse in public service announcements.  She has also testified in front of Congress on behalf of young victims everywhere.” 

“It was my stay at the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village, over a 2 ½ year period, that I learned all that I know today as a mother, as a woman and as an advocate.  At the top of the steps that lead to the entrance of the Village there are two large wooden doors, and as I entered, I looked up and saw words that read, “All who enter here will find Love”.  It was at that exact moment, and for the first time in my battered 9 1/2 years, that I was not afraid,” Connie Benedetto recounted to the audience of Childhelp members and their friends.