Birthday bash to benefit child abuse prevention awareness

Special to Leader-Press

 

Today, 185 children in Texas will be abused. More than one-fourth of those are not old enough to attend kindergarten and are not able to tell clearly communicate the abuse they are experiencing. Child abuse prevented Teen Miss Rabbit Fest Kamryn Mayberry from having a brother and she is taking action to draw awareness to and raise funds for this crime of secrecy that is difficult to talk about.

 

Mayberry, 17, has an older sister but no brother. Her mother and father began the process to adopt a son from an adoption center when they discovered that the child was allegedly being abused in the center that was supposed to protect him.

 

“It all became very complicated and we were not able to adopt the little boy and bring him into our family,” Mayberry said with tears welling up in her eyes. “I want other children to know that they are not alone and that there are other children going through this and that support services are available.”

 

The Copperas Cove High School senior and cheer captain has teamed up with two locally owned small businesses, Bearables and Bits-n-Bites Bakery, to raise funds to fight child abuse through a charity event this Saturday called the Bearables/Bits-n-Bites Birthday Bash where children will able to stuff an animal of their choice and enjoy four different birthday party atmospheres complete with theme decorations and cake. Bearables is a brand new business at 209 S. Main Street in Copperas Cove that is just opening its doors. Owner B.J. Callaway did not hesitate to have the proceeds from the charity event benefit child abuse awareness and prevention.

 

“I’ve witnessed child abuse not only in the community, but worldwide. Two years ago while doing an event, where I took my company, Bearables, a woman and her children stopped by to stuff a teddy bear and there was also another child that she was watching for a friend. As the child watched as the other two were stuffing a teddy bear, she asked if she could stuff a teddy bear too. The lady replied harshly, ‘No, your mother did not give me money for you, only my kids can do this.’ Of course, the child started crying. The lady then grabbed the child and flung her by her side and continued to scold her. I stepped in and asked if it was ok if I paid for her to stuff a teddy bear. I’ve held that child close to my heart from that point on. So, naturally I support the cause.”

 

Monique Murphy, owner of Bits-n-Bites Cake Shop, which will be providing the four different party themes happening simultaneously as well as the sweet treats, said children are our future.

 

“They deserve the best. They didn’t ask to be born in this world,” Murphy said. “The least we can do is raise them to be great products and love them.”

 

Entertainment will be provided by the Scotty Ray Band. The money raised at Saturday’s event will be donated to the Coryell County CASA program.