Supporters 'Joined the Fight' with Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County at Annual Luncheon

More than 400 attendees braved the snowy weather and arrived at Embassy Suites in Frisco on February 6th to "Join the Fight" at the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County Luncheon.  Keynote Speaker Darrell Hammond of SNL fame spoke with genuine and raw emotion as he recounted his own childhood filled with abuse.  Its lasting marks were almost felt by the attendees in the room.  Darrell fought back tears on several occasions as he described his reality.

"Join the Fight" Keynote Speaker Darrell Hammond

“Darrell’s story provided all our luncheon attendees with the opportunity to hear first-hand the long term effects of child abuse on a person’s life," Event Chair Carolyn Speece recalled. "He was the living, breathing example of why our Center exists. He spoke directly to the heart when he said, ‘I didn’t have a children’s advocacy center.’ His story reminded all of us how important it is to look again, to ask questions, to make sure children are safe and protected.” Darrell Hammond and Event Chair Carolyn Speese

Attendee and CACCC Supporter Susan Spindler added, “I could have listened to him for hours. What an amazing story.”
Joan Slater, another attendee, said “(Darrell’s story) was dark, but abuse is dark. This was so much better than just listening to someone up on stage giving statistics. No one could walk away thinking that the effects of abuse go away when someone moves away from home. The luncheon was a gift I will never forget.”

Seated left to right are Cathy & Richard Riccardi, Joan & Jim Slater, Susan Spindler

Standing left to right: Cathy & Steve Ramsey, Mark & Carolyn Speese

Now community support and fundraising efforts turn to CACCC's Annual Gala on April 12th at The Hilton Anatole with Grammy Award winning performers Huey Lewis and the News. More details to follow.

Join the Fight Luncheon with Darrell Hammond

Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and child abuse survivor Darrell Hammond will be the featured speaker at the second annual Join the Fight Luncheon benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County on Feb. 6 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco.

Join the Fight brings together business and community leaders to generate awareness about the Center’s mission to provide safety, healing and justice to children victimized by abuse in Collin County. The luncheon raises much needed funds to fight child abuse and to help abused and neglected children heal from their abuse.

“Darrell’s story will really resonate with luncheon attendees because it illustrates that child abuse happens not only in the darkest corners of our society but also in the most unexpected places to people we know and love,” Event Chair Carolyn Speese said. “None of us watching him portray Al Gore or Bill Clinton on Saturday Night Live would have imagined all that Darrell experienced, but the truth is that child abuse is much more common than any of us would like to believe.”

As the longest-tenured cast member of television’s best-loved comedy series, keynote speaker Darrell Hammond in 2011 revealed his abuse-laden past in his autobiography which details a childhood filled with traumatic physical abuse at the hands of his mother. His journey from victim to SNL cast member illustrates how one person climbed from the deepest despair to the very top of his profession.

“Nearly 1,100 children are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect each year in our community,” CACCC CEO Lynne McLean said. “This luncheon provides a chance for our generous business and community leaders to ‘join the fight’ against child abuse and give children in Collin County help and hope for the future.”

With support from the community, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County provides a child-friendly environment where children can safely tell their stories and begin healing from their abuse. The Center’s multi-disciplinary team approach encompasses all aspects of the child protection system including law enforcement, Child Protective Services, the forensic interview staff, therapists, nurse examiners and client services under one roof to minimize trauma to vulnerable child victims.

Individual luncheon tickets are $125. Sponsorships range from $1,200 to $20,000. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit caccollincounty.org or contact Special Events Manager Dana Bielamowicz at 972-633-6602 or at DBielamowicz@caccollincounty.org.