Sena Schmidt / Roundup
Sue Meier, an adjunct Pierce College psychology professor, is among a number of faculty members who walk the walk.
Meier is coordinating this year’s Strike Against Child Abuse fundraiser Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Canoga Park Bowl, locatede at 20122 Vanowen St.
Meier, a mother of four, was given the idea to help raise money for child abuse victims in a more exciting way by one of her sons who, at one time, worked at a bowling alley.
The annual bowling fundraiser began in 1998. Meier said the event is open to anyone in the community who wants to “support a good cause.”
“There is no cultural difference between child abuse victims,” Meier said.
“Abuse is everywhere.”
Tickets for the event are $10 and tax-deductible.
“There will be a silent auction,” Meier said. “Last time [the rock group] Linkin Park donated a signed drumstick.”
Other raffle items that can be won include the new Elmo doll, Disneyland gift cards, gift baskets from the WB Studios and more. Whole Foods Market will cater the event.
“Kids 12-and-under who attend dressed in a costume will also get a Halloween goody bag,” Meier added.
All proceeds from the Strike Against Child Abuse event go to different child abuse prevention programs.
These include the Web site www.yesican.com, founded in 1997, which is designed to serve anyone who has been affected by child abuse.
The Web site is a private, non-profit organization available for anyone who wants to reach out anonymously to either with other victims of abuse or one of the group’s 16 facilitators, who are there to offer advice or lend an open ear.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” Meier said, adding that “there is a two-week training course they would need to go through first.”
Among the volunteers is Bruce Thomson, one of the Pierce mechanics.
“The whole concept around yesican.org is we need to stop this [child abuse],” Meier stressed.
“Our children are our future, and if we don’t protect them we don’t have a future.”
