CAC Awards Dinner • June 5, 2009

Dr. Seuss surely wrote the following poem to encourage people to attend the Child Advocacy Center 2009 Award Dinner:

If you never
did you should.
These things are fun
and fun is good.

And in fact, the 2009 Dinner Committee is planning an evening filled with "fun that is good!" The fabulous Skinny Improv seems to be involved in every creative and fun event around ~ which is why we're so excited that the Skinny "duo" of Jeff Jenkins and Jeff Houghton will be injecting improvisational fun into our evening.

Kelly Brown and Ed Hines make up the popular musical group of Brown & Hines. The two have performed locally, nationally and internationally for more than two decades and will perform this year at both the Patron's Party and the dinner.

The CAC will again kick off its Annual Campaign in a "kite-filled" way that night (while challenging guests to surpass last year's amazing results.)

The highlight of the night will be the recognition of the wonderful Dr. Jim Blaine and Judge Tom Mountjoy. These co-recipients of the "Dr. John P. Ferguson Award for Child Advocacy" helped lead the early efforts to bring a child advocacy center to southwest Missouri. They also drove to Jefferson City to meet with then Governor Mel Carnahan to secure funding for a building for the CAC and for its first executive director.

And of course, as in the past, we are planning some surprises and overall, another evening to remember. So,

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
in any direction you choose."

• Printable Sponsorship and Ticket Order Form

2009 Honorees

The 2009 co-recipients of the "Dr. John P. Ferguson Award for Child Advocacy" led the early efforts to bring a child advocacy center to Springfield. Judge Tom Mountjoy and Dr. Jim Blaine are quick to point out that many, many individuals were involved in the process. And both humbly say they didn't do much more than anyone else in the process. But the facts prove otherwise.

For many years, Dr. John P. Ferguson was the only area physician performing Sexual Assault Forensic Exams, or SAFEs, on alleged victims of abuse. When Dr. John finally retired, Greene County Prosecutor Tom Mountjoy challenged members of the Greene County Medical Society to fill the void. Dr. Jim Blaine was one of the physicians who stepped in, took the training, and then became a passionate advocate for the child advocacy model.

With help from Harold Bengsch, then Springfield and Greene County Director of Health, the first CAC was located in two rooms of the Greene County Health Department's LINK Clinic. Eventually, the need for a building led the organizers to solicit state funds from Governor Mel Carnahan.

Jim and Tom made a trip to Jefferson City where they met with the governor and secured his pledge of support. Once a building and executive director were secured, Governor Mel Carnahan then attended the ribbon cutting ceremony when the Child Advocacy Center opened its doors in 1995.

Fifteen years later, we are now poised to honor Dr. Jim Blaine and Judge Tom Mountjoy for leading dozens of community leaders to bring the Child Advocacy Center to the children and families of southwest Missouri.

The Skinny Improv

"They're everywhere! They're everywhere!" It seems the Skinny Improv, and particularly Jeff Jenkins and Jeff Houghton, are involved in every fun and creative endeavor around ~ and now they're hosting the Child Advocacy Center 2009 Benefit Dinner! Jeff J. is the founder and executive director of The Skinny Improv. He graduated from Evangel University with a degree in drama and has more than a decade of professional improv experience. He also teaches at the Skinny Improv Training Center; is the founder/artistic director of The Springfield Playhouse; and serves as president and CEO of UpSide Down Creative Group.

Jeff H. graduated from the University of Iowa in 2000. He began working for the Late Show with David Letterman a short time later. From there, Jeff worked for Young Life camps. After graduating from the Skinny Improv Training Center in 2004, Jeff joined the group. He now teaches at the training center; hosts the Skinny's late-night "The Mystery Hour" talk show; and serves as director of community relations for the Upside Down Creative Group.

Brown & Hines

Kelly Brown and Ed Hines have performed locally, nationally and internationally for more than two decades and will now entertain guests June 5 at the Patron's Party in the home of John and Jeris Ferguson and dinner at Hickory Hills County Club. Their varied repertoire, event experience and professional talent means they are suited to all manner of event, gathering or party. Kelly and Ed are also members of The UnMistaken, Rags to Riches and Howie and the Hillcats. For several years, they were members of Springfield's M-Dock Bank. In addition, Kelly has played with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and accompanies area vocalist Kim Crosby. Brown and Hines can be heard regularly at Hickory Hills Country Club.

2009 Award Dinner Sponsors

Dr. John P. Ferguson
Circle of Child Advocates
Bass Pro Shops
The Ferguson Family:
John & Pat, John & Jeris, Jim & Anna

Child Protector
Virginia Bussey

Child Advocate
William & Julie Miller
Charlie & Mary Beth O'Reilly
Penney Murray & Associates
Positronic Industries
Springfield Builders, Inc./Bates & Associates
Tal & Rosalie O'Reilly Wooten Family Foundation

Partner
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
BancorpSouth
Boyd Aluminum Manufacturing
Thomas & Cheryl Briggs
Kitty Coller
Commerce Bank
CFO ~ Second Wind Fund
CoxHealth
Ron & Cissy Ellis
Richard & Cathy Grant
Kathleen Griesemer
Kenneth & Kay Hamilton
Sam & June Hamra
Hankins Surgical Supply
Jim & Jeannette Hutcheson
Terry & Mary Kay Meek
James F. & Lorna Morris
Thomas & Kimberley Prater
Springfield Grocer Co.
Springfield Neurological Institute
Gary & Sally Thurneau

CAC Friend
Scott & Dot Atkinson
Gary & Jan Baumgartner
MD Bonebrake
James & Marianne Carrier
Jerry Clark
Wes & Diane Cooper
DB Design Salon & Gallery
Ingram Enterprises, Inc.
Jeff & Marcia Johnson
Junior League of Springfield
Terry & Lisa Langley
Liberty Bank
Richard & Faye Loeb
Charles & Melissa Mace
Ed & Jane Mellers
Stephanie Montgomery
David C. Murray
Robert B. Murray
Leo T. Neu, III
Denny & Mary Pilant
Misty Shelton
Dennis & Kathy Sheppard
Springfield Engineering Co.
The Wooten Company

Skinny Improv Sponsors
Jeff & Marcia Johnson
Dennis & Kathy Sheppard

Brown & Hines Music Sponsor
Ron & Cissy Ellis

Special Sponsors
Bates & Associates
Fisk Limousines