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Kevin and Kellye Rodgers, along with the Covington County Child Advocacy Center, have joined forces to bring the 4th Annual Cowboys for Kids Rodeo to the area in early October.

The Cowboys for Kids Rodeo began in 2018, and this year’s event marks the fourth time it will be held. “Kevin and Kellye Rodgers from Hilltop Meat Company, Restaurant, and Arena came and suggested we host one as a way of raising money for the kids at the CAC. As a rodeo fan myself, I thought it was a great idea, so we began building on it,” said Board Chairman Walt Merrell.

The Rodgers family is responsible for making preparations at the arena and on location. “The CAC, DHR, and District Attorney’s office solicit sponsorships, recruit volunteers, handle marketing, and take care of all the logistics,” Merrell said.

Located at 125 Medical Park Drive, Suite 103, in the Andalusia Health complex, the Child Advocacy Center offers forensic interviews and evaluations, counseling, therapy and medical examinations and referrals for children who have been sexually, physically, or psychologically abused.

According to Executive Director Melinda Barton, the CAC provided 106 forensic interviews and 483 hours of counseling in 2020. Since first opening their doors in 2015, there have been over 650 forensic interviews conducted and 2,000 plus hours of counseling.

“Victims needing emergency services need to call 911. They can call their local police department for non-emergency situations. The CAC does not take walk-in clientele. We only take referrals from law enforcement, medical providers, schools, and the Department of Human Resources,” Merrell said.

He added all of the services provided are at no cost to the children. “What we do is so very important for their health and well-being. Sometimes, the physical wounds heal quickly. We focus on more of the emotional scars with the hope that we can make a difference in the child’s life for tomorrow,” Merrell said.

The CAC is truly appreciative of having a partnership with the Rodgers family in holding the annual event. He stated, “We couldn’t help these children the way we do were it not for the benevolence of the folks that sponsor the rodeo. This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and because of this rodeo, thousands of hours of counseling services will be provided to these kids.”

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 2 at Hilltop Arena. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. followed by entertainment at 7 p.m. and the start of the rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for one child, and $5 for each additional child. Children age 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information call the Covington County Child Advocacy Center at 334-222-1881. “The rodeo is called Cowboys for Kids for a reason. These men and women who come to participate know the fun, the fellowship, and the proceeds are all for those we serve at the CAC. It is a family event, and we would love for you to come and join us in the fun,” Merrell said.