Charity League makes plans for ‘Artrageous’

Published 10:40 pm Saturday, September 14, 2013

The Selma Charity League has a new fundraiser that will entertain area children, benefit a helpful organization that needs funds and make Christmas shopping a bit easier for all involved.

Artrageous will benefit the Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center, which specializes in helping children that have been abused sexually or physically. The event will be Nov. 9 at City Ceramics, with tickets priced at $15.

Children can choose between three different Christmas ornaments to paint and decorate at the event. By the end of the session, he or she will have a handmade ornament that is ready to be given to someone on his or her Christmas list.

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“I encourage them to get their tickets before they sell out. It is going to be a lot of fun,” said Stephanie Herrod, chairman of Artrageous. “I also encourage them to think about ordering the ornaments for grandparents. They would make a great teacher gift.”

The CARCAC, a non-profit organization, is thrilled to be the beneficiary of this year’s event, executive director Lauri Cothran said.

“We are so excited,” Cothran said. “The Selma Charity League does so much good work in this community and we are proud to have been chosen as their signature project for this year.”

The CARCAC serves Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties. The center conducts forensic interviews that can be used as evidence if the accused is prosecuted.  A multi-disciplinary team — Department of Human Resources, law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office — partners with CARCAC.

While the advocacy center’s forensic interviewers conduct the sessions, members of the multi-disciplinary team watch through closed circuit television.

Cothran, a former member of the Selma Charity League, said the CARCAC has conducted nearly 200 interviews during the last three years.

Cothran said one of her volunteer projects was participation in the child abuse prevention program, which made a lasting impact on her.

“Now that I am in the role of director of this center, it makes me so proud that they chose us to be the recipient,” Cothran said.

For Artrageous, children can order more than one ornament, with the price being $15 per ornament. A total of 150 tickets are available and there will be two one-hour sessions with 75 children being placed in each session.

After selling tickets for a couple of days, Herrod said they are already selling out.

For more information, those interested can call Herrod at 413-2608.