The Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center board of directors is proud to host the 4th Annual Brighter Tomorrows for Children Awards on Thursday, October 15, 5:30-8 pm at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel.
The Brighter Tomorrows for Children Awards is an annual event that honors individuals in our community who have made a significant impact for the well-being of children, against child abuse and to make our community a safer place for children.
To commemorate our 20th year, the 2026 event will honor the Center’s Founding Executive Director, Joddie Walker, and Founding Board President Jim Holler. Additionally, Adams County school-based food pantries will be honored: Franklin Friends at Franklin Elementary School, Ruth’s Harvest at Bermudian Springs, Conewago Valley, Fairfield Area, Gettysburg Area and Littlestown School Districts and John’s Meals at Upper Adams School District. In some school districts, nearly 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch, but experience food insufficiency when away from school. Food pantry volunteers ensure that hundreds of Adams County children do not go hungry; providing food backpacks to children weekly.
The Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center is an independent, non-profit organization that is dedicated to a community where children are safe, and families are strong; empowering children to be safe and keep children from being abused by providing child abuse prevention programs in local schools, training and resources for parents and caregivers, while working to meet the needs of children and families if they have been victimized. At the Center, children and families get the help they need to overcome the trauma of child abuse in our community-based, child-focused center.
Since 2006, ACCAC has supported more than 3,000 child victims of abuse, but nearly 3,000 Adams County children are at risk of abuse and neglect each year.
“When we help one child victim heal from the trauma of abuse, we change the trajectory of their life. When we prevent one child’s abuse, we change and entire family’s trajectory for generations. Safe kids and strong families create a healthy community. Ultimately, as community members, we all benefit when children are protected,” said ACCAC executive directory Elida Murray.