You may know him as the Voice of Rockwall, a longtime charity auctioneer, but did you know Gary Freedman is an ambassador for Rockwall County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)?
On my visits to the Bagel Lady I enjoy a cup of Texas Pecan and have good conversations with my friend Gary. If you don’t know how to order a bagel definitely ask him. You will be pleasantly surprised with the taste and flavorings on the Everything Bagel.
Most early mornings I find him sitting on a comfy black couch at the Bagel Lady, where the wall has his name on it and we just gab about all sorts of things. Last week, I was inspired by some speeches by Patricia Mejia and Mayor Keith Short of how CAC has impacted our community since 2016. And most of all how lives are benefiting from the resources provided by this organization.
City of McLendon-Chisholm recognizes April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Many businesses will turn blue and many will offer Go Blue promotions to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Advocacy Center.
The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County provides a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals can collaborate within our own community to develop coordinated strategies to more effectively seek justice and promote healing for victims of child abuse; and this effort will provide abused and neglected children in our community and around the country a chance for a safe and positive future.
Gary Freedman has been serving the board since the beginning as a past board member and currently is a Parliamentarian. He volunteered to be an ambassador called, “Blue Tie Guy“. The Blue Tie Guy Ambassadors are friends, leaders, and colleagues in our community who serve as champions for children in Rockwall County by speaking out about child abuse dynamics.
When we got on the subject about why he chose to get involved in this organization Gary shared he felt led to do it. He has survived cancer five times, raised over 1 million dollars with Baylor Scott & White New Beginning Center, has five degrees in Masters of Music, International Business, Communications, Finance and Psychology. He also used his voice as a Houston Radio talent, received a hardship drivers license at 14 years old and has first hand knowledge of child abuse.
Despite early hardships he used his life to fulfill his promise to his mother to get an education. He made a choice to bring awareness and to be a difference maker. From the heart, he explains anyone can make a difference in a child’s life. Gary shared, “In Rockwall, people are not aware that child abuse is not exempted from economics. Child abuse is in every community and there were approximately 757 unduplicated clients this past year. Not including the ones that the center is currently servicing.”
He explained from his past, “When you realize it leaves scars on the child. It could be either a scar or it could be a badge of courage. 90% of child abuse is by someone they know. Most cases of abuse are not reported and it is a silent epidemic.”
The Blue Tie Guys are trying to raise $30,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County. It’s not a competition, but he would like to achieve his personal donation goal. There are faces that we may never meet and Gary strongly believes that the donations make a difference in the child’s life. They rely on support from the community to function. Donations are vital to provide safety, healing and justice to children victimized by abuse or neglect in Rockwall. The therapy services are offered at no cost, for as long as they are needed. The average cost of service for a child victim of abuse is $1,000. This organization could change the trajectory of a child’s life to be an extraordinary individual.
How Can You Contribute Or Get Involved?
You can buy a ticket and/or become a sponsor for the Go Blue for Kids Gala on April 30, 2022. Check out Children’s Advocacy Center’s Facebook Events and their newsfeed of businesses sharing a percentage of their sales when you order from a special menu or mention their name. Lastly, you can donate financially to the Blue Tie Guy ambassador Gary Freedman.
If you liked what you are reading and if you are a person that has had experience with Children’s Advocacy Center please share a comment below.
