In 2003, 11,801 Tennessee children were victims of some form of abuse.

To confront this epidemic, 25 non-profit Child Advocacy Centers are in operation throughout the state. However, it wasn’t until recently that such centers received so much publicity and support.

Tennessee’s first lady, Andrea Conte, has made it a priority mission to spread awareness of this prevalent issue and to raise funds for the centers.

“Andrea Walks for Tennessee’s Children” began Sept. 8 in Memphis and will conclude in Blountville in May 2005. This nine-month expedition covers more than 600 miles and will visit each of the 25 operating centers.

Among those 25 centers is the Child Advocacy Center of the 27th Judicial District, located in Martin and serving Weakley and Obion counties.

“Andrea Walks” will be passing through Martin on Tuesday, Sept. 28. The walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Department of Children’s Services in Dresden and will end about 13.2 miles later at the local Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 111 Oxford St., Martin.

Transportation will be provided back to the start for participants involved in the entire event. A reception will be held that evening in honor of the first lady in 206 UC.

The cost for the event is $35. The cost for the reception is $50 per person or $60 for both the walk and the reception.