Upcoming Events:


5th Annual Cook-off on the Colorado CANCELLED

Due to the recent circumstances with the wildfires in Bastrop County, Texas, the Cook-Off on the Colorado has been cancelled for 2011. Thank-you for your understanding and support.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Please join the effort to raise awareness of child abuse and promote its prevention.

What can you do?
Display or Wear a Blue Ribbon ~ Story of the Blue Ribbon

The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in Virginia in 1989 when a grandmother, Bonnie W. Finney, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van "to make people wonder". The story she told to inquisitive community members was a tragic story about the abuse of her grandchildren, which ultimately led to the brutal death of her grandson.

"It had been so long since I sat by my grandson's side in the hospital. Of course, I knew something was wrong as I sat there. I saw fear on his face, the bruises on his body, and the healing cigarette burns on his hands. His doctor did not believe my daughter's story...'He fell in slippery water in the bathtub.'

"After the ordeal at the hospital my grandson was placed in foster care for three weeks. He cried when they came to take him back to his mother. I ached for this dilemma, but I was not physically able to care for him. I never saw him again.

"My 16-month old granddaughter was hospitalized after being beaten severely. Her leg was broken in four places and her hand was burned from the tip of her little fingers to her wrist. It was only then that the search was on for my grandson. We learned that he had been killed, wrapped in a sheet, stuffed in a toolbox, and dumped into the dismal swamp three months earlier.

"My grandchildren had suffered and battled so much throughout their young lives that it sickened me. My life was turned into physical and mental chaos. My efforts to understand became a plea to stop abusing children. I tied a blue ribbon on my van antenna to make people wonder. Why blue? I intend never to forget the battered, bruised bodies of my grandchildren. Blue serves as a constant reminder to me to fight for protection for our children."

Let the blue ribbon serve as a constant reminder to fight for protection for our children. We must protect our most precious gift of all…our children. Please wear a blue ribbon…put one on your door or your car...give one to your friends….tell them what it means…you may save a child's life!

Additional ideas to help bring awareness to the issues of child abuse in our community and help provide ways and means to prevent abuse.

• Help spread the word ~ distribute awareness and prevention literature in your local area
• "We Sing for the Children" - April 4th at 5:30pm, attend kick-off ceremony at Bastrop County Courthouse lawn. Music and entertainment to be provided by individuals and groups in honor of this special month.
• Wear Blue Day in Fayette on April 12th and join us for the awareness event at the Fayette County Courthouse at 5:30 for family activities.

If you would like to order blue ribbons or flyers for your business, please call Julie Elliott at the Children's Advocacy Center ~512-321-6161 or email julie.

Thank you!

Blue Ribbon Campaign Flyer

You will need Adobe Reader to view this document.

Guest editorial by Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

April marks a time of new beginnings, so it is appropriate that we take a moment to reflect on Texas' future and how to renew young lives during Child Abuse Prevention Month. There is no greater cause than ensuring our children grow into healthy, strong, successful adults...

Read full guest editorial by Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas...