Tennessee’s first lady, Andrea Conte, will be walking through Weakley County today as part of “Andrea Walks for Tennessee’s Children,” her 600-mile journey across the state.

Conte is walking to raise awareness of child abuse in Tennessee and to raise greatly needed funds for Child Advocacy Centers, nonprofit organizations that help children who have suffered sexual or severe physical abuse.

During her daylong walk through Weakley County, Conte will visit the local Department of Children’s Services office and the Weakley County Child Advocacy Center. The local CAC is associated with the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse satellite office that serves Weakley and Obion counties, located at 111 Oxford St. in Martin.

The first lady and registered “Andrea Walks” participants will begin walking in Dresden at 8 a.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 28) and will end later that afternoon in Martin.

During her visit to UTM, she is scheduled to walk through the quad.

Just recently, Conte and registered “Andrea Walks” participants walked an average of 10 to 15 miles per day, visiting the Madison Child Advocacy Center on Tuesday, Sept. 14, and then ending the three-day Madison/Henderson County walk at the Henderson County Child Advocacy Center on Thursday, Sept. 16. After her trek through Weakley County, “Andrea Walks” will continue Oct. 5 in Clarksville.

To date, Conte has logged more than 70 miles through Memphis, Millington, Munford, Covington, Jackson and Lexington, visiting four child advocacy centers along the way. She is expected to cover more than 600 miles across the state before she arrives in Blountville in spring 2005.

“Andrea Walks 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 learn more, visit www.AndreaWalks.com.