Circles of Hope Telethon rings in record-breaking totals
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Hundreds of volunteers from across West Tennessee packed the Civic Center near downtown Jackson to raise awareness and money for the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. “We are all God’s children, and they don’t deserve to be mistreated,” Pat Hargett said. For the 32nd year, the Circles of Hope Telethon took center stage as musicians, community leaders and volunteers all joined together to help victims of child abuse. “It’s so important we have these dollars because unfortunately child abuse is right here in West Tennessee,” Pam Nash said. “We need to work together and help children so they can have a brighter future.” It’s the organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year. For nine hours, phone calls came in raising thousands of dollars. “It’s great. I answer the call like I do every day for my job, so it’s enjoyable,” volunteer Jamie Cochran said. “I just want them to ring more.” “Any money spent in this is all for a very good cause because we are trying to do our best to make sure there are not any children abused in West Tennessee,” Jimmy Hargett said. In the last year, the center’s 18 locations, which service 20 West Tennessee counties, provided free services for more than 10,000 children. All checks received will stay in the counties from which they were donated. But with all the fun, organizers and volunteers say raising awareness about child abuse is what the telethon is all about.
