FIRST LADY CONTE TO LEAD DAVIDSON COUNTY WALK SATURDAY
WALK BENEFITS THE NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE

NASHVILLE – Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte begins AndreaWalks V in Davidson County on Saturday, April 4, to benefit the Nashville Children’s Alliance and to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. The walk begins at 9 a.m. CDT at Centennial Park in Nashville.

“The support that the Nashville community provides the Nashville Children’s Alliance is crucial for this organization to help children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse,” Conte said. “It is fitting that we walk during April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, to educate families about these services and the issue of child abuse in Tennessee.”

Tennessee’s First Lady has worked to serve victims of crime and abuse for more than 17 years. In addition to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and the role of Child Advocacy Centers, she founded You Have the Power…Know How to Use It in 1993, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about crime and justice issues.

Conte received national recognition as a longtime advocate for victims’ rights last year when she was presented with the National Crime Victim Service Award from U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes her outstanding service to crime victims in Tennessee and nationwide.

Conte launched AndreaWalks in 2004, walking more than 600 miles between all the Child Advocacy Centers across the state and raising approximately $1.4 million in cash and in-kind donations for these organizations. This year, AndreaWalks V includes six events during the months of April and May as Conte continues her support of child advocacy efforts.

As First Lady, Conte also worked to create a statewide Commission on Crime Victims Assistance that provides recommendations on the administration of the Criminal Injury Compensation Fund. Each December, she and Governor Phil Bredesen host “A Tennessee Season To Remember,” an annual holiday memorial event honoring Tennesseans who have lost their lives to violent crime.

For additional information or to register for the Davidson County walk, please call (615) 327-9958. For more information about AndreaWalks, visit www.andreawalks.com.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: A media availability with First Lady Andrea Conte will be held approximately 10 minutes prior to the kick-off program at the walk event site. Media are also welcome to join the walk for photos and interviews.