The Memphis Child Advocacy Center has nominated The Universityof Memphis Chapter of Golden Key International Honor Society forthis year's "Spirit of Giving" Group of the Year Award.
Desiree Robertson, graduate student at The U of M, startedworking with the CAC last spring when she began a project to createa child abuse awareness program at The University. Now more than adozen Golden Key members have put in more than 100 hours ofvolunteer service, as well as getting other organizations aroundthe city involved.
"Winning means that we have shown true spirit," Robertson said."People don't always have an opportunity to give back to thecommunity."
The Memphis Child Advocacy Center helps children who are victimsof sexual and physical abuse. The CAC houses a Shelby County ChildProtection Investigation Team sub-unit, caseworkers andprosecutors. They offer programs for prevention, education andintervention.
Most of the volunteer work Golden Key does for the CAC includesfundraisers, teddy bear drives for children who come to the centerfor counseling or forensic interviews, cleaning and decorating theplayrooms and sometimes stuffing envelopes.
CAC Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Poynter said the work GoldenKey has done with her organization has been a dream come true.
"They have such a great attitude," Poynter said. "There are notmany people you can call when you need 6,000 envelopes stuffed andsealed, but Golden Key turns out in force."
Robertson, a sociology student, said she enjoys working withchildren and hopes to continue doing so.
"In the fall we will begin monthly projects at the TennesseeBaptist Childcare Home in which we will be able to work with thechildren hands on," Robertson said. "The 'Spirit of Giving' awardis just a stepping stone. One of our main goals is to step up andexpand."
The University's Scholarship Coordinator and Golden Key GroupAdvisor Patrick Perry said the group has done a great job on theirown.
"They have really gone out and spearheaded this program," Perrysaid. "It's a great program."
The award will be presented at the Volunteer Memphis annualluncheon April 10.
