RALEIGH, NC – October 3, 2012 -- SAFEchild, Wake County’s only child abuse prevention agency providing direct services to families, announces that Jason and Lauren Smith, owners of 18 Seaboard and Cantina 18, are serving as Community Chairs of the 2012 Believe in SAFEchild annual fundraising campaign.

The Believe in SAFEchild campaign officially begins October 18 with a fundraising luncheon at the Hilton – North Raleigh Midtown. The campaign raises funds for SAFEchild’s child abuse prevention and intervention services, including the SAFEchild Advocacy Center, parenting classes, the Welcome Baby mentoring program, and Funny Tummy Feelings, which teaches young elementary school students how to protect themselves from abuse. In almost all cases, services are provided at no cost to the families. The Believe in SAFEchild campaign goal is $440,000.

Owners of 18 Seaboard since 2006 and Cantina 18 since 2010, Jason and Lauren Smith have sponsored many fundraising events for organizations across the Triangle, including the Junior League of Raleigh, the Red Sword Guild, and the Tammy Lynn Center. However, as the parents of two young children, the Smiths have a special passion for SAFEchild’s programs, which give parents the skills and strength to break abusive cycles and create loving homes. Lauren’s experiences as a Welcome Baby mentor forged a special community connection for the couple.

“Being involved with SAFEchild gives us a deeper compassion for those around us and helps us cherish our time with our children,” said Jason Smith. “We are honored to partner with other SAFEchild volunteers and donors on this campaign. It is so important to us for SAFEchild to be a resource for parents in crisis or children who have been victimized, and we are calling on the community to help us reach our goals.”

For more information about the Believe in SAFEchild campaign, please contact Nancy Bromhal at 919-743-6140 orFor more information about the Believe in SAFEchild campaign, please contact Nancy Bromhal at 919-743-6140 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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ABOUT SAFEchild
SAFEchild (Stop Abuse for Every child) is the only non-profit child abuse prevention agency providing direct services to families in Wake County. Established in 1992, SAFEchild is dedicated to creating nurturing environments free from abuse and neglect. With a staff of 15 supported by 250 volunteers, SAFEchild implements nine child abuse prevention programs serving infants to adolescents and their parents. More than 900 parents and 6500 children are reached every year. For more information, please visit http://www.SAFEchildnc.org or contact Nancy Bromhal at 919-743-6140 or via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)