EASLEY—Despite the slow economic times, “Cheer for Children,” the annual fundraiser for Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, raised 9,000 to support the organizations efforts to protect children in the county.

“We had a great turnout,” said Courtney Nations, executive director of Preven Child Abuse Pickens County. “This was about what we raised last year. But considering the economy, I think people were very generous.”

The event featured fans of Clemson and the University of South Carolina enjoying an indoor tailgating party. Television clips of winning games played throughout the night.

“Tiger Jim’ and “Caroline Tom,” of the Upstate Facts and Opinion show on WCCP-FM hosted a trivia game and a live auction.

The Flashbacks performed at the event, providing beach and classic rock music.

“This was the 3rd Annual Cheer for Children event and we are thrilled that so many compassionate citizens came out to support our mission to prevent child abuse before it begins. When we can put more resources into prevention programs like ours, we save our children a lot of heartache and our taxpayers a lot of money,” Nations said. “ For example, through our evidence-based home visitation program for at-risk families, we are seeing a reduction in child abuse and neglect, an improvement in family health, an improvement in school readiness and an improvement in self-sufficiency – all of the things that are much more inexpensive than the alternative and these are factors that will make our community stronger.”

Kathy Brazinski, Principal of A.R. Lewis Elementary School, was presented the Caleb Crawford Child Advocate Award.

Crwaford was brutally beaten at the age of 2, leaving him with life-altering injuries including severe brain damage, partial blindness, chronic seizures, limited motor skills and little to no communication skills. Now at the age of seven, he functions as an 18-month-old infant.

His perpetrator is scheduled to be released in the near future.

Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County recognized Caleb and his family by naming the special award in his honor. The award is presented every year to an outstanding child advocate who serves children in the community.

Brazinski has been in education for 31 years serving as classroom teacher, teacher of gifted and talented, assistant principal, coordinator on the district level and as building principal. Over the years, she has also taught graduate level classes for Clemson University, Furman University and Converse College.

Brazinski was born in Albuquerque, N.M., grew up in Tampa, Fla. and has lived in Pickens for 31 years. She has been married to Dan for 44 years and has 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. She serves the community in many capacities through; ministries in her church, serving as a member and past president of Pickens Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, initial member and past president of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, and appointed by County Council to the Pickens County Cultural Commission. She was chosen Pickens County Career Woman of the year in 1997 and in 2009.

Brazinski is passionate about being an advocate for children. In the early 70s she volunteered weekly at the juvenile home by teaching boys to work with their hands by sculpting. She taught teen girls who were mentally disabled to sew. Her life’s mission has always been to be an advocate for and to protect children. She has taken children into her home at different times under different circumstances, starting with her younger brothers. Her entire family was involved in taking guardianship of a young 13 year old girl from a school where Kathy was assistant principal.

Kathy has written and obtained many grants during her years in education. Some of those include: two 21st Century Learning Center grants, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables grant, National Diffusion Network grants, Beaumont Foundation, Ben and Jerry’s and several other foundation grants.

“Grants are written to better the lives of children,” Brazinski said. “Many grants allow opportunities for children to go on field trips, explore the world around us, and provide a safe, caring after school environment.”

Brazinski believes that all children deserve the best we can give them.

“It is our responsibility as adults to provide and protect children, and above all to love them with all of their faults,” Brazinski said. “Education is key for children, believing they deserve the best we have to offer for their minds and their bodies as we model best practices in our daily living, using Christ as our model. It is such a tremendous honor to be chosen to receive the Caleb Crawford Award. There are so many deserving persons in our community who could be receiving this award, and the fact that I was chosen is very humbling. Coming from an abusive childhood has helped me to understand difficult situations and want to give hope to children that there are ways to break the abusive cycle and work to be a successful contributing citizen in our community.”

Cheer for Children is an annual event hosted by business and community leaders to benefit the programs and services of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County. Monies raised support the agency’s prevention programs which include: Home visitation for teen moms, victim services, children’s programs, parent education classes, parent support groups and community training. If you were unable to attend the event, but would like to contribute to the nonprofit organization, please mail your donation to Prevent Child Abuse, 1899 Gentry Memorial Hwy., Easley, SC 29640.

For more information, call The Parenting Place, home of Prevent Child Abuse at 898-5583.