Art of Chocolate is sweet way to protect children from abuse
A Friday benefit offers patrons the opportunity to help protect children from abuse while indulging everyone's sweet tooth.
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The Art of Chocolate, a fundraiser for Child Enrichment Inc., starts at 7 p.m. at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. It is one of two major benefits held each year by the child-advocacy group.
"We'll have an art auction with children's art and professional art," said Child Enrichment Executive Director Dan Hillman of The Art of Chocolate. "We'll have raffles. Windsor Jewelers has donated a really beautiful piece of jewelry for us to raffle off."
However, Hillman said the main attraction will be a dessert contest among some of the area's top chefs, representing such restaurants as The Partridge Inn, La Maison and the culinary school at Augusta Technical College.
"They'll compete for prizes in such categories as Best Dessert, Best Presentation and Most Creative," Hillman said.
The black-tie-optional event includes live entertainment by The Toasters, and catering by Berry's Floral and Catering.
Child Enrichment Inc. provides such services as forensic interviews with children suspected of being sexually abused and Court Appointed Special Advocates for the juvenile court. Its mission is to provide intervention, stabilization, advocacy and prevention services for abandoned, abused and neglected children in Columbia, Richmond and Burke counties.
Since its inception in 1978, Child Enrichment has provided services to more than 15,000 abused children. Last year, it helped 714 children and conducted 318 forensic interviews -- 115 in Columbia County.
The nonprofit group operates with a $650,000 annual budget. Much of its funding is provided by corporate and private donations with some government grants. Cookin' For Kids and The Art of Chocolate are the two major fundraisers the group plays host to each year to raise additional funding.
IF YOU GO
What: The Art of Chocolate, a benefit for Child Enrichment
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Tickets: $50 per person
Contact: (706) 737-4631 or www.childenrichment.org