There were more than HOGs on the road for the 15th Annual Teddy Bear Ride benefiting the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center (CCCAC) on Sunday, November 4. To be exact, there were thousands of stuffed bears along for the 19-mile ride beginning at McKinney High School and ending at the CCCAC in Plano.
Over 700 motorcycles (Harley Owners Groups and other riders) traveled on an all-important mission: delivering over 3500 donated stuffed teddy bears to the CCCAC for children to choose as they receive the center’s services. An unbroken line of paired motorcycles (with police escort) spanned over 14 miles on Central Expressway, as vehicles and passengers honked and waved at the enthusiastic bikers and their stuffed animals.
The bikers ride rain or shine to help in the fight against child abuse, and have done so since 1992, when the newly-opened CCCAC started the event with a handful of staffers, some who rode and some who didn’t. About a dozen riders came to the center (originally on Ave. K and 15th Street) with toys in exchange for some hot chocolate. Along with the center’s growth, the Teddy Bear Ride has swelled to include thousands of riders from all over North Texas and beyond.
“Bikers are very generous and charitable, especially when it comes to children. We got involved with this event because it deals with the safety of children. [The bears] give them a little comfort in a time when their world is falling apart”, says Tommy Purtle, president of a local motorcycle club who presented a sizeable check to the CCCAC and the Teddy Bear Ride’s 2006 chairman.
Scott Wallack, 2007 chairman, and his wife, Dena Smith, have participated since 1999, donating money and toys, and have ridden in the event since 2003. Scott, who joined the committee in 2004 after that first ride, says that planning the event was a “labor of love that gave me the opportunity to coordinate the efforts of a wonderful group of like-minded people. All the efforts of the committee, the ‘army’ of volunteers, plus the wonderful weather came together to make this year’s Teddy Bear Ride a great success with record-setting attendance.” A complete album of this year’s event is at http://wallackandsmith.com/Gallery/CCCAC_TBR_2007.
For 2008 sponsorship opportunities or for more information, call CCCAC Special Events Manager Melody Boatwright at 972-633-6602 or visit http://www.cacplano.org/.
CCCAC Executive Director Susan Etheridge reacts to the $3700 check presented by Tommy Purtle on behalf of his motorcycle club. photo by Scott Wallack
Two McKinney families enjoy their first Teddy Bear Ride. photo by Scott Wallack
Motorcycles laden with toys bound for the CCCAC. photo by Laura Mikytuck
photo by Laura Mikytuck
BACKGROUND: Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center
MISSION STATEMENT
Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center takes action to identify, protect and improve the lives of abused and neglected children.
Facts
• Since opening in 1992, Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center (CCCAC) has offered services to over 22,000 abused or neglected children and their families.
• The center is one of the few CACs nationwide that co-house all collaborative partners including Collin County Child Protective Services, law enforcement, representatives from the District Attorney’s office, medical and therapeutic professionals and community volunteers.
• CCCAC is one of the few CACs nation-wide offering services to 100% of the county’s children alleging abuse. The traditional CAC model serves only the worst of the worst cases.
• CCCAC serves as a national model for CACs and the Texas Legislature has held CCCAC up as THE example of how child abuse should be investigated.
• It is one of a few CACs that offer therapy to clients traumatized by abuse, and their non-offending family members, at no cost to the family. The therapy programs are innovative and utilize specialized therapy modalities including; play therapy, art therapy and music therapy. Support groups are also held within the clinical department for victims and their nonoffending family members.
• CAC clients may return at any time for therapy services.
• During fiscal year July 1, 2005- June 30, 2006 CCCAC experienced:
3,998 referrals to CCCAC of child abuse allegations
2,200 children served through our Holiday Projects
1,111 families served through our Rainbow Room
9,856 community resource services provided to 888 clients
15,551 therapy services offered to 735 clients
742 forensic interviews conducted
79 sexual assault nurse examinations conducted on site
• The center’s annual operating budget is 2.3 million dollars.
• Less than 10% of the center’s funding comes from governmentand affiliated sources. 83%+ of our funding comes from
individuals and corporations.