The Great Teddy Bear Run is a 13-mile motorcycle ride benefitting the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center, happening on April 29th, 2023. The Mission of the Center is to reduce trauma to child abuse victims by providing one safe, child-friendly location where teams of professionals work together to pursue justice and offer treatment.
One in nine children will experience child sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. That is two to three in each classroom. Experts predict there will be an increase in child abuse during increased isolation, and we are seeing more kids experiencing severe abuse at the Center. Donating will help us provide critical services, including forensic interviews, child sexual abuse medical exams, trauma-informed mental health therapy, and prevention education. In addition, it is important that we raise awareness about how to report child abuse during this time when some children are isolated from people outside their homes. Call 877-597-2331/877-KYSAFE1 to report. You may also make a report of non-emergent child abuse online here: https://prd.webapps.chfs.ky.gov/reportabuse/home.aspx. Learn more about reporting here: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dpp/cpb/Pages/default.aspx.
The Ride will start at the Warren County Justice Center, where registration/check-in will begin at 9am. Kickstands go up at 11am, and the ride will end at Harley-Davidson of Bowling Green. All riders who pre-register before April 17th, 2023, will receive an event T-shirt, pin, and swag bag. The price to register is $35 for a single rider or $55 for a rider and passenger. Tony Rose with D93 will be our on-site DJ at the Justice Center for the morning portion of the event. We will also have Tin Roof Coffee, and Richmond Market will be set up to provide riders and spectators with breakfast options for purchase. Afternoon vendors at Harley-Davidson include Alan Austin with 95.1 the Beaver, while food vendors such as Patriot BBQ, CRAVE, South Cow, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Rita’s Italian Ice will be on-site for purchase.
The Center appreciates our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor – Aetna Better Health of Kentucky; Grand Marshal Sponsors – WBKO and Harley-Davidson Bowling Green; Community Champion Sponsors – D93 and the Beaver; and Community Guardian Sponsors – Independence Bank.
If you would like to register for the event or become an event sponsor, please visit the events tab at BRACAC.org. For more information, you can call the Center at 270-783-4357.
-submitted by Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center
