Sixteen Trees Change Lives

Before giving the invocation for the "Forest of Hope" Winter Wonderland Brunch, Reverend Robb Zinn of Emmanuel Baptist Church shared, "Thank you, thank you for all the differences you are making in the lives of children you may never meet who may grow up to be the president, an assemblyman, mayor, or a Hollywood singer. God bless the little children." The 13th annual event, which took place at the National Orange Show, sported 16 donated trees decorated from head to toe. Attendees placed tickets into the baskets under the trees in hopes that they would be the lucky winner. Hundreds of members, supporters and advocates for ChildHelp gathered in support of making a difference in the lives of abused children. According to the ChildHelp statistics page, every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children (a report can include multiple children). This staggering statistic was just one of the many reasons that ChildHelp has been a successful place of change since 1959. First-time attendee Lorena Dailey, whose sister recently began her involvement with the organization, shared, "This is the first time I've been to something like this, and I will do it until the day I die. As a mother, it's a very personal cause. Thank God myself or my children never experienced it, but I've witnessed it, and it's such an amazing cause. I don't care if it costs $1,000 to come, I would find a way to get here." Redlands resident Jo Ann Von Wald, who has been involved for over 30 years and currently serves as the President of the Inland Empire Auxiliary of ChildHelp, who hosted the event, shared, "I'm out here to support these kids. My heart goes out to them." Kathy Hyland of Redlands, who has been a member for three years and served on countless PTA boards and baseball leagues as her children were growing, said, "Children can't help themselves, so we have to be the advocates for them. It's sad to think that there are kids out there that are abused." While attendees enjoyed their lunch, a group of about a dozen children whose lives have been changed as a result of ChildHelp made their way to the stage and sang songs of thanks to the audience. Knea Hawley, who works with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio and has recently become a member of ChildHelp, shared that she was at an event in Beaumont where she saw some of the children whose lives have been changed through ChildHelp sing to the audience. "When you hear these kids since and they're giving thanks, it's just amazing, when you think of where these kids have come from and how an organization can make them feel. I was committed to being involved from that moment on." After an energetic performance by the youths, a profound message was given by Michal Madison, who shared, "I stand before you no longer a victim, but because of the Creator, I'm a victorious survivor." She shared how since the age of under two months old, she was sexually abused by both her father and her mother, and how her father became a school teacher and followed her through the educational system, always making sure that, in every grade, he was her teacher, so she would never have an opportunity to speak out for help. She shared that just when she would get comfortable, her family would move her into another town, again, making sure that her dad was her teacher. When college rolled around, she was finally able to escape; however, not long before her freedom began to transform her, she got a call from her father that he had gotten a job offer and was moving to her college town. The abuse began again, only to be alleviated around the age of 22 when her best friend began spending the night. However, it would not be long before two dangerously abusive marriages with men she was forced to marry would shake her world before her eventual escape and true freedom, which she has been thriving and growing in for the past few years. As a life-long artist and pianist who was told for so many years that she wasn't good enough, she shared, "I get to sell my paintings and donate 10 percent to ChildHelp. Do you know how much that thrills my soul?" Shortly after Madison's heart-moving story, event organizers welcomed Detective Mary Yanez to the stage to receive this year's Spirit of Hope award. Detective Yanez, who has dedicated her life to helping children in abusive situations, told the audience, "I thank you all for giving, and supporting and praying, because together we can help these kids." Retired County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Terrell has been coming out to the event and others like it for years, in support of both the cause and his wife Bobbie, who is a retired school psychologist and a member of the organization. He said, "It's very important taking care of kids who are abused, offering them a chance at academic progress and psychological support, and moving them in the right direction as they get ready to become productive adults." Silent and live auctions helped get the ball rolling on making a difference in the lives of those who had traveled from Beaumont Village, a facility that cares for children who are in transition from their homes, where the court decides to place them either back home, in foster care, or allow them to be adopted. Annette Winn, who has been involved in the program for about three years and serves as the Vice President of ChildHelp, Fundraising Chair, and Membership Chair, shared, "I have been to the Village, and it is beautiful! There's extensive counseling available, a chapel, a school, and horses and goats, which are great therapy. Some of these kids are so traumatized that they don't even talk. There was one little girl that didn't talk and when she finally spoke it was to the horse, and she said, 'Is your mommy mean to you too?'" Winn shared that the proceeds from events like the "Forest of Hope" and other events go towards the basic needs of the children that ChildHelp is able to reach out to, including school and hygiene supplies, clothing, and more.