A child's cries in the night can wake a parent out of a dead sleep. Quick steps follow the cries to determine why a child is in distress and to chase away the nightmare. Young mother, Tara, was facing a nightmare of her own head-on, when her four-year-old toddler Becca told her, "Daddy touched me when I went to visit." Desperate to keep her child safe, Tara immediately called 911 to report Becca's abuse. To her surprise, the 911 operator told her that she would have to drive an hour and a half to Austin to make a report since the abuse happened there. Although it was already late in the evening, Tara and her new husband, Mark, packed up their three young children and drove to Austin in search of assistance for young Becca.

When the family arrived in Austin, they stopped at the first place they could and called 911 again. They were immediately connected with a police officer who listened to Tara and wrote out a complaint to start the investigation. Even though it was late in the evening, the network of support for Becca moved quickly. A Child Abuse Detective, Victim Services Counselor, and Forensic Interviewer who were all on-call that night came to the Center for Child Protection, so Becca and her family could receive the immediate help they needed. A forensic interviewer met with Becca so she could tell about the abuse that happened during her holiday visit. A medical exam was scheduled, and the counselor and detective met with Becca's parents to help them with the emotional trauma, to explain the next steps in the investigation process, and to offer other long-term support for Becca and her family. During these few early weeks of January, the Center conducted five after-hours interviews, like the one Becca received. *Names and other identifying circumstances have been changed to protect the privacy of children and families.

For the last six years, Mark Fugina has regularly volunteered at the Center for Child Protection. He's held a variety of roles over the years from helping at fundraising events to working with children while their parents attend classes in the evenings. He can usually be found near the playhouse in the front building during weekday evenings getting ready for children and their parents to arrive for classes. When asked how he found out about the Center, Mark says that he heard a radio interview with Sandra Martin early one morning, and it encouraged him to get involved. "I've always been lucky to have a supportive family, and volunteering here gives me a chance to work with children who have dealt with some tough environments."

A commercial real estate appraiser by day, Mark shared, "What I enjoy most in working with the children is being able to get down on their level interacting with them." Asked why he continues to volunteer year after year, Mark responded, "I'm here for the children. Kids who come here feel more relaxed even when their life may be very stressful at home. Many of them have gone through traumatic events, and if I can help mentor them for even a brief time, that is a positive thing."

Make a New Year's resolution to get involved in the struggle to stop child abuse in our community. Whether you have a little time or more to give, we can sure use your help! Work with children and families directly or share your talents in administrative or fundraising arenas. Read more about some of the volunteer roles available. To begin, each volunteer is required to complete a volunteer application, records check, and an interview. Positions working in direct contact with children require 9-12 hours of orientation and training, which will be held January 28, January 31, and February 4, 2008. Pre-registration for training is required. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Richards at 512-472-1164 x231 or srichards@centerforchildprotection.org.

The Center for Child Protection is grateful for a recent donation of $80,923 from Lexus of Austin. The local dealership donated a Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Luxury Utility Vehicle with a retail value of $48,523 that was the top prize in the 16th Annual Luxury Raffle. Congratulations go to Charles Owen (pictured) who was the lucky winner of the car. In addition, Lexus of Austin and Lexus corporate gave $32,400 to the Center for Child Protection as part of Lexus' Pursuit of Potential initiative, which is dedicated to building, shaping and improving children's lives. For each car purchased during the December to Remember Sales Event, a donation was made to the Center. For Lexus of Austin's participation, Lexus corporate made an additional gift.

The 16th Annual Luxury Raffle is a signature fundraiser for the Center for Child Protection. Maxine Roberts, a founding member of the Center's board of directors and of the Friends of Christopher Guild, began the luxury raffle tradition in 1992, to raise awareness in the Austin community about the effects of child abuse and the community's obligation to address the problem. Tickets were $100 each, and only 2,000 were sold for a chance to win one of three prizes. The drawing was held December 2, 2007 at the Dancing with the Austin Stars event. Nancy Ward won second prize, a $2,500 Simon Mall Giftcard, and Danny Payne won third prize, a set of round-trip Continental Airline tickets provided by Tramex Travel.

We appreciate the Mama Fu's new Triangle location on N. Lamar for hosting a VIP opening party to benefit the Center for Child Protection.
We express our thanks Neverfail, Inc. for their gift of toys and car seats that were given to children during the holidays.
Thanks go to Marge and John Kelley who graciously donated bikes for children served by the Center this holiday season
We are grateful to students from Trinity Episcopal School for their donation of stuffed animals and warm blankets for children.
Thanks go to Bikers Against Child Abuse members who met January 12 to learn more about volunteering at the Center.