Hundreds Walk for Child Abuse Victims
Child Abuse Prevention Month Event held on Friday in Murfreesboro
“Rain didn’t stop the Rutherford County community from showing up to show their support for child abuse victims. Despite the weather, it was still a great day for a walk,” announced Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer following the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children on Friday, April 25.
Over 250 people were gathered at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza when the annual event kicked off at 11:30 a.m. Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr welcomed the walkers, gave the opening remarks, and shared information about the critically needed crisis intervention response of the Child Protective Investigative Team. Mytecia Miles from First Baptist Church gave the prayer. Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors as the national anthem played.
Child Advocacy Center Director Sharon DeBoer, Family Services Coordinator Jennifer Gamble, and Accountant Jessica Wauchek presented the 2025 Hometown Heroes Awards. The 2025 award recipients were: Detective Andrea Butler (Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office), Detective Jennifer West (Murfreesboro Police Department), Jill Howlett (Our Kids), Detective Marcy Gossett (Smyrna Police Department), Morgan Clemmons (Rutherford County Department of Children’s Services), Presley Hosford (Child Advocacy Center), and Tracy Sheppard (Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office).
You could tell by the look on their faces that the Hometown Heroes were surprised to hear their name called. All seven of them are humble local heroes who have dedicated their careers to making our community a safer place for children.
Faithful local sponsors make this a free event every year. Development Coordinator Karista Colwell thanked the generous event sponsors A+ Storage, Adient, Ascend Federal Credit Union, BlueCross BlueShield, City of Murfreesboro, CRF Properties, Domino’s Pizza, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, J. Mullins Jewelry and Gifts, Jobe, Hastings, and Associates, Ole South Properties, Patco Inc., Redstone Federal Credit Union, State Farm – Andy Womack, State Farm – Dana Womack, Talos Engineered Products, Volunteer Behavioral Health, Dr. Scott J. Wilson, and Wilson Bank and Trust.
The enthusiastic walkers braved the rain to walk from Murfreesboro Civic Plaza to Oakland’s Pavilion where a delicious lunch was provided by Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Bottled water was provided by A+ Storage and Dana Womack – State Farm. Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), A Step Ahead, and Head Start: A Mid Cumberland Community Action Agency hosted information booths at Oaklands Pavilion for walkers to explore while they ate lunch.
The team from Head Start won the coveted Golden Sneakers Award for bringing the most walkers to the event. Seventy-five children from Head Start participated in the Walk.
“Under the outstanding leadership of Karista Colwell, the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children Committee does an amazing job planning this event! They have already started making plans for next year,” concluded De Boer. “If you want to get involved contact Karista at 615-867-9000 or kcolwell@cacrutherford.org.”
For more information on the Child Advocacy Center and the Child Protective Investigative Team that works child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children’s cases, or if your family needs help contact the Child Advocacy Center at 615-867-9000.
