Brookshire's Grocery Company has a long history of generously supporting Children's Advocacy Centers across Texas, including the one in Bonham. Jeremy Morton, Store Director of Brookshire's in Bonham, recently presented a check for $2,000 to Sandy Barber, Executive Director of the local Children's Advocacy Center in Fannin County.

Brookshire's hosts an annual charity golf tournament and gives the proceeds to Children's Advocacy Centers across Texas where Brookshire's are located.

"Brookshire's has been a faithful supporter of our agency and other Children's Advocacy Centers in Texas for many years,” said Barber.

The first gift from Brookshire's to the local nonprofit agency was $1,000 in 2001. Over the next ten years, the gifts have steadily continued except for 2008 when the company did not host a tournament. In all, Brookshire's has given a grand total of $13,450 in ten years to the Children's Advocacy Center in Bonham.

The Center in Bonham is one of several programs for abused, neglected and needy children operated by the Fannin County Children's Center. Other programs include CASA, Rainbow Rooms and child abuse prevention programs for children and adults.

The Children's Advocacy Center was started in Bonham in 1999. The center coordinates the efforts of a multidisciplinary team of public and private agencies, including law enforcement, Child Protective Services, prosecutors, medical and mental health professionals. The center employs two staff who are specially trained to conduct forensic interviews with children when sexual abuse or other crimes against children are suspected. In cases where abuse is discovered, staff can provide information, support, referrals and case updates to the family. The center also has contracts with five licensed professional counselors who can provide therapy at the center to help the children, youth and protective family members begin the healing process. For more information, visit www.fanninccc.org or call (903) 583-4339.