FIRST LADY COUNTS DOWN TO STATEWIDE WALK KICK-OFF

“ANDREAWALKS FOR TENNESSEE’S CHILDREN” TO BEGIN SEPT. 8 IN MEMPHIS

Nashville - Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte today announced the official 30-day countdown to the kick-off of “AndreaWalks for Tennessee’s Children,” her statewide initiative to raise awareness and funding for the state’s 25 child advocacy centers.

The First Lady will begin walking in Memphis on September 8, and will cover more than 600 miles across the state before ending the event in Bristol next spring.

“Last year in Tennessee, 6,000 children were seen at Children’s Advocacy Centers across the state. These Centers provide treatment and support for children who have been sexually abused or severely physically abused. I invite concerned citizens in communities across the state to join me and walk to raise awareness about the problem of child abuse. Together, we can protect our state’s greatest resource, our children,” said Conte.

To date, more than 100 individuals and organizations have made sponsorship contributions to “AndreaWalks,” with two platinum level contributions made by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). In addition to the financial contributions being made to the First Lady’s walk efforts, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason and Award-winning gospel music star CeCe Winans are donating time to record public service announcements to raise awareness about the walk.

Money raised from “AndreaWalks” will benefit 27 different organizations and will fund public awareness programs, educational materials and counseling for child victims of sexual abuse or severe physical abuse.

During a press conference in April, Conte explained she wanted to find a way to promote the work the state’s child advocacy centers are doing to help child victims of sexual or severe physical abuse and established “AndreaWalks For Tennessee’s Children.” Conte and registered participants will walk up to 10 to 15 miles per day and will continue until mid-November. The walk will resume mid-February 2005 and continue across the state for a tentative completion date of May 1.

“AndreaWalks For Tennessee’s Children” is a collaborative effort of the Office of the First Lady, Tennessee Chapter of Child Advocacy Centers, and You Have the Power…Know How to Use It, Inc. to raise awareness and funding about child abuse and the importance of child advocacy centers. To learn more, to register or to make a donation to child advocacy centers, visit www.AndreaWalks.com.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: A complete schedule of walk dates and locations is listed below for publication, as well as a list of designated media contacts for each segment of the Walk.