SEMA lends support to the prevention and treatment of child abuse

10/03/2007

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – an organization comprised of dozens of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, race teams and more – has chosen Childhelp as a year-round sponsor and a principle recipient for its fundraising efforts.  Childhelp is one of only two charities that SEMA supports.

“We are deeply honored that SEMA has selected Childhelp as a recipient of its charitable contributions,” said John Reid, executive director of Childhelp.  “The money they have raised and continue to raise will help advance our goal to prevent and treat victims of child abuse.  Their fundraiser this summer was a great success.”

The money SEMA raises directly benefits the children Childhelp serves by funding such programs as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®; the prevention education Good Touch/Bad Touch® curriculum; residential treatment facilities; and therapeutic group homes and foster care.

SEMA’s Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser, held in Irvine, Calif. in late July, was the automotive organization’s first major fundraiser.  At the banquet, SEMA welcomed new board members and selected nominees for its prestigious SEMA Hall of Fame.  The event raised over $70,000 for Childhelp, one of two charities benefiting from this event.  In addition, a $25,000 in-kind toy donation from Mattel was shared between the two charities at the gala.

_{^{(Left to right) SEMA President Chris Kersting presents a check to Childhelp Co-Founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, accompanied by SEMA member Joel Ayres of Leer.}}

CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson started Childhelp in 1959, establishing it as a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect and at-risk children. Childhelp’s approach focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

 The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp’s programs and services also include residential treatment services (villages); children’s advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. Childhelp also created the National Day of Hope® that mobilizes people across America to join the fight against child abuse.

For more information about Childhelp, call 480-922-8212 or visit www.childhelp.org.

Heather Defrancesco