The 2015 Champion for Children dinner at Abilene Civic Center Nov. 16 will headline Leigh Anne Tuohy, the inspirational mother behind the movie The Blind Side.
The dinner will benefit Christian Homes and Family Services, a local maternity services, foster care and adoption ministry who pursue their mission of a Christian home for every child by providing free maternity care for women with unplanned pregnancies, offering foster care to children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and recruiting and training Christian couples who are anxious to adopt.
In the past, Christian Homes and Family Services was known as Christian Homes of Abilene, but now the ministry has offices in Fort Worth, Tyler and Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Since The Blind Side, Tuohy has used her platform to inform communities about the value of individual success.
“Mrs. Tuohy’s story is incredible,” said Cassie White, senior child and family services major from Abilene. “The fact that she uses the platform she has found herself on to fund raise and spread awareness regarding adoption is absolutely inspiring.”
Due to her inspiring story, Tuohy has been on Christian Homes and Family Services’ speaker list for five years.
“We thought the movie was inspiring,” said Sherri Statler, president of Christian Homes and Family Services. “She is well known for saying that she doesn’t believe there are unwanted children, just un-found families.”
Statler said 200 student tickets will be purchased for outstanding student athletes to come hear Tuohy’s message, all complements of the Dodge Jones Foundation, a charitable gift foundation built to benefit Abilene and The Big Country. Approximately 700 will be in attendance for this year’s event.
“I hope people are inspired to be involved in foster care,” Statler said. “I hope they understand the need for foster families. Half of the children in Taylor Country have to go to foster homes outside Taylor County. We do not have enough foster families in Taylor County.”
The community can purchase tickets by phone at 325-677-2205 or online at www.christianhomes.com.
