We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your participation in the Light of Hope Ceremony on Sunday, April 2nd. Both the Resource Fair and the Ceremony were a success. We had so many wonderful organizations in attendance sharing their information at the Resource Fair; Bikers Against Child Abuse, Boys Town of Central Florida, Children’s Home Society Healthy Families, Community Based Care of Central Florida, Department of Children & Families, Florida Department of Health – Tobacco Prevention & Healthy Start Programs, Heart of Florida United Way, Kids House Wayne Densch Child Advocacy Center, Kinder Konsulting & Parents Too, Renaissance Massage Studios, Safe House of Seminole, Sanford Police Department, Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Seminole Prevention Coalition, Seminole County Public Schools – Great Start Program, The Grove, The Sharing Center and Visions TCM Services. We thank each and every one of you for taking the time to participate and share your respective information.
We are so appreciative of all our local First Responders that were in attendance and honored the abused and neglected children by participating in our Lights and Siren Car Procession. There were many from local area police departments; Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford, the Florida Highway Patrol, Seminole County Sheriff, and the Seminole County Fire Department. The Procession was quite impressive with the Police and Fire vehicles making their way to the Ceremony. And let us not forget the Tri County Chapter of Biker’s Against Child Abuse – the roar of the motorcycles added that much more to the Procession.
We are thankful to all the dignitaries that were able to take time from their busy schedules to attend our event; Mayor Bates, Mayor Durso, Commissioner Bob Dallari, Honorable Judge McIntosh and Sheriff Lemma. We are honored to have received Proclamations from both Mayor Bates and Governor Rick Scott proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
We are grateful for the financial support we received from the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando. We look forward to working together on many more future events.
A special thanks to the Girl Scouts Citrus Singer’s choir for providing the most beautiful and uplifting songs throughout the ceremony. And of course, their choir director, the talented Susie Reale.
To our Master of Ceremony, Marla Weech from Channel 13 News – we are so appreciative of her support. She has been gracious enough to act as Master of Ceremony for 2 years. She was so passionate and engaging throughout our event.
And we would like to thank the community for coming out and showing your support. Our hope is that all that were in attendance will continue to share our message and help us to put a stop to the abuse and neglect of our children.
And last but not least, we offer our utmost gratitude to both Marty and Autumn for having the courage to share their stories with us, for shining a light into a world that no child should ever have to endure. They, and others like them are the reason we all must pay attention, open our eyes and act to protect the innocent lives that are being impacted by this tragedy. Together we can make a difference.
Regards,
Yvonne Stimac
