"It's turkey season in Middle Tennessee!" announced Phillip Smith of Smith's Painting. The 5th annual 'Turkey Tee Off' golf tournament will be held on Saturday, November 7 at Cedar Crest Golf Course to benefit the Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

"The 'Turkey Tee Off' Golf Tournament Committee is contacting local businesses and individuals asking for their support of the Child Advocacy Center and the child abuse victims that are served by the Center," stated Child Advocacy Center fundraising chairperson Elizabeth Parker.

"We need the support of the Rutherford and Cannon communities to make the 'Turkey Tee Off' a successful event," said golf tournament committee member Mike Becker. "Levels of event sponsorship range from $2,500 to $75. For $2,500 your business can be one of the presenting sponsors. For $500 -$2,499, your business can be a sponsor. For $400, you can be a team captain for a team of four golfers. For $100, an individual can golf. For $75 your business can have a tee box sign."

"Our family started the 'Turkey Tee Off' to support child abuse victims," said Smith. "Our hope is that through this event, families of abused children will learn about the Child Advocacy Center, and reach out for help for their children."

Proceeds from the golf tournament will fund services for child abuse victims. The Child Advocacy Center works as a multidisciplinary team with Department of Children's Services, law enforcement, mental health counselors, and the District Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute child abuse cases and help children and their families heal from the trauma. In the last 15 years, the Child Protective Investigative Team has worked together to investigate and prosecute over 11,695 child abuse cases and assisted over 16,275 individuals in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

Through the Darkness to Light community education program, the Child Advocacy Center has trained over 5,435 parents, grandparents, and professionals how to protect children from child sexual abuse, and what to do if a child reports abuse to them.

If you would like to sponsor the event, make a contribution, or golf in the tournament please contact the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County at (615) 867-9000 or the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at (615) 563-9915.