The plight of abused and neglected children will be in the spotlight Wednesday, when the annual national ceremonies for Childhelp USA's Day of Hope will be held at Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Organizers hope the event will translate into increased awareness and a quick realization of the local chapter's goal of serving such children in Middle Tennessee.
''We're not here to duplicate any existing services, but to instead fill in the gaps,'' says Jennifer Willey, community relations coordinator for the Nashville chapter.
''What we're hoping to get in place first is a mobile unit that can go out into rural areas to help with the interview and physical and psychological examination pro-cess.''
Since getting its start in December, the local group ''has been flying like the wind'' and already has more than 70 members representing a mix of the city's music and business communities, Willey says.
''I think it's the old, classic story of people wanting and needing to give back to their community,'' explains chapter president Stan Moress, a partner and artist manager with The Consortium.
''There's nothing more heinous to me than child abuse, and that makes this a cause that almost everyone can feel a tug about: Who doesn't want to help abused and neglected children?''
The national ceremonies on Wednesday will include Karyn Frist, wife of U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., as honorary chairwoman, and scheduled appearances by Amy Grant, Collin Raye, Phil Vassar, Clint Black, Jamie O'Neal and David Keith, among others.
The event also will feature the lighting of Childhelp USA's three-wick candle, which the organization says represents the three children who die each day in the United States as a result of abuse and neglect.
Many local restaurants will mark the day by donating that day's proceeds from designated tables to support Childhelp USA's efforts. Among them are the Green Hills Grill, Deer Park Grill, Kote's, Princeton's, Basante's-Green Hills, Caffeine, Ted's Montana Grill, Bucca De Beppo, Valentino's, Mario's and Ruth Chris.
Founded in 1959, Childhelp USA seeks to help children and family members whose lives have been traumatized by child abuse through a variety of services.
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