Over 400 gathered Saturday evening to support Children’s Advocacy Center for the 31st Judicial District.

The annual Angels Spring Gala was in full swing at Milner Recreation Center beginning at 6 p.m. with a silent auction. With a theme of the roaring 20s Gatsby Style, the gymnasium was decked out in fancy decorations and many guests who were dressed to match.

All of the funding generated by the gala goes to CAC, who provides a variety of services to the most vulnerable of children and their families, all at no cost to the recipient. CAC performs forensic interviews and therapy for situations involving oftentimes severe child abuse and neglect. Its services are available to children in the program until they turn 18. The facility also keeps a food pantry and hands out supply bags to families containing comfort items such as stuffed animals and blankets for the children who have been affected by crisis.

“This gala is the main fundraiser we do all year. We used to have it in the fall, but we decided it made more sense to do it in April, which is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month,” CAC Executive Director Cassell Galligan-Davis said. “We try our best to support families who come to us and educate the community about child abuse. By doing so, we hope to help them think of us and keep us at the forefront of their mind.”

CAC services Warren and Van Buren counties, but the office is here in Warren County. Davis revealed that, soon, a satellite office will be opening in Van Buren.

“We don’t have a date yet, but we do have a building,” Davis explained. “We’re all very excited. The county and commissioners in Van Buren have been huge advocates for us and this has been a long time coming. This will be a great advancement, especially for the Van Buren families who are grappling with traumatic and stressful situations, and have kids who are having to process and retell the hardest story they’ve ever had to tell.”

CAC President Beth Saunders opened Saturday’s event before Davis took the stage to thank CAC’s supporters and all who had a hand in the event’s fruition.

Davis presented two awards to deserving members of the organization and supporters. The first of the two awards is was the Angel Award, which is granted for philanthropic work done for CAC. This year’s recipient is Saunders.

“She and her husband, who has since passed, have done a tremendous amount of work for CAC and always been huge supporters,” Davis said of Saunders. “Saunders, who has been an angel to the children and to us, is very much deserving of this award.”

A new award was unveiled this year for those who are within the organization and forge change in the lives of families and children who come to CAC. For its inaugural release, the Butterfly award was presented to Shelley Smith who works with Children’s Protective Services.

“We have never given an award out that was specifically for our team members. The Butterfly Award is for our team members who are boots on the ground every day across our many collaborating agencies,” Davis said. “Smith always makes sure the kids are safe and makes them a priority, and she has created real, transformative change in the lives of so many affected by tragedy with her work.”

Following the awards, food was provided by the Warren County High School’s Culinary Arts Department and a live auction was held by Donald Hillis. The auction included food, goodie baskets, a week-long vacation to Mexico, paintings, outdoor equipment and a variety of other items.