Now that the kids have gone back to school, it’s really quiet around here! During the summer we had a house full of mostly teenagers, and there was always music, lots of conversation and video gaming going on simultaneously. When it came time to send them off to school, the generosity of our community was, as usual, overwhelming. Many of the children arrive here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, and it is because of the donations you provide that we are able to supply them with the things they need. (more…)

It’s summertime at the Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter, and the place is buzzing with activity! Right now there are seven girls and five boys here, ages 9 through 17. Like all kids, they enjoy going to the pool, playing video games and basketball, and all the usual “kid things.” Some have had special experiences at camp, such as the horse camp at Greenridge Stables. They’ve made visits to the Booth Museum, enjoyed special jewelry making classes, and a favorite activity–fishing!

 Recently many of them chose to dress up like cows for Chick Fil A’s “Dress like a cow, get free food” day. Typical kids doing typical stuff, and all thanks to you and your support of Advocates for Children. Our mission is to offer safety, comfort and hope to children who come from sometimes desperate situations, and we couldn’t do it without all of the help from our community. Thanks to you, the children in our care can experience the same things that other kids experience in these summer months-fun, activities, and the peace that comes from being respected and loved, happy and thriving.

Duck adoptions officially started a few weeks ago, so claim your winning Quacker today. You can adopt one duck for $5, six for $25, 13 for $50 or 50 for $250.  Bear in mind you have a greater chance of winning the grand prize of a Kia Spectra with the more ducks you have in the water. If you choose to become a VID - very important duck - by adopting 50 ducks for $250, then you become Big Kahuna status and benefit from preferred parking at the Duck Derby. Every duck adopted helps Advocates for Children and your chances of becoming a winner. So, don’t just adopt yourself, but spread the word to friends, families, coworkers and strangers you strike up conversations with at the grocery store. We are trying to get 30,000 adopted and every single one is one more towards our goal. We’ll see you at the Duck Derby fundraiser on May 17!

The most fun fundraiser in north Georgia is starting– we need to sell 30,000 ducks to help children feel Safety, Comfort and Hope.  The kickoff is April 1 (no “fooling”) at 5:30 at the Riverside Day Use Area, just south of Cartersville.

Check it out: www.AdvoChild.org

The party is free– and you’ll get all the ducky info you need to get started.  It’s the seventh annual Duck Derby!

Announcing the 2008 Duck Season - this year’s is going to be better than anything you have seen in the past.

To kick off our extravaganza, we are hosting a black-tie-optional “Egg-ceptional Evening.” This is a silent and live auction in which we will have fabulous items to bid on, including a guitar signed by Eric Clapton!! Something unique that we are offering for bidding is one-of-a-kind, hand painted eggs - painted with the personal style of many local artists. Tickets for this formal affair are $50, and we still need more items to bid on! We hope to see everyone at the Cartersville Civic Center from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday, May 9.

On May 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., we will be hosting our Duck Derby Parade! Come out to the streets of downtown Cartersville and watch local high school bands march through the streets followed by extravagant floats and an inflatable Quacky!

At Plant Bowen on May 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., we are hosting our labeling party. This is where all of the ducks get a number to correspond with their adopted owner, so we need all the extra hands we can get.

Friday, May 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. we are hosting a FREE concert featuring Atlanta local favorite, Banks and Shane. (more…)

On February 14th, take your date to the  special preview performance of Beast on the Moon at the Legion Theater presented by Pumphouse Players. What makes this particular date special? Well, all of the proceeds from this particular performance will be donated to Advocates for Children, the non-profit organization that helps abused and neglected children of Northwest Georgia. While this particular play is an extremely romantic and passionate play, perfect for love day, to help increase the Valentine’s Day ambiance, there will be a champagne reception, equipped with a chocolate fountain and sparling juice, beginning at 7:00 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $20 per ticket, which includes the champagne. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through Advocates for Children at 770-387-1143. Don’t miss the opportunity to have a truly unique Valentine’s Day date which also benefits a fantastic cause.

Advocates for Children has only one residential facility within the non-profit organization: Flowering Branch. This facility has come to be the pride and joy of the organization and can house six girls and six boys at any given time. This short term facility provides transportation to and from school, basic care, love, attention and friendship to children in need. For many children, this is the most luxurious home that they have ever lived in, as each child has their own private room and bed with linens.

With the winter holidays quickly approaching, the staff at Flowering Branch wants to make the create an atmosphere as magical as possible for its residents. This requires the help of community. Every month Advocates releases a wish list of items that are in desperate need, and December’s list is especially important. However, there are many different ways to donate to Advocates for Children if choosing an item off of the wish list is not possible. Please take a generous moment to help make this holiday season the best it can for the children at Flowering Branch.