Most people I come into contact with know that I am a board member for Susie’s Place, Hendricks County’s Child Advocacy Center.

Susie’s Place is a child-friendly environment where children can be interviewed by trained forensic interviewers to find out if there has been any abuse. The idea is to minimize the trauma the children endure by having each child tell their story only one time.

Law enforcement, along with representatives from children’s services and the prosecutor’s office, can see and hear the interview while it is going on and speak to the interviewers discretely through an ear piece to make sure all of their questions get answered.

Many of the cases that come to Susie’s Place involve child sexual abuse.

It all sounds scary to me. Can you imagine what those children are feeling?

I’m currently in my second year serving on the board of directors and am having the time of my life. I always tell people this is the first “grown up” thing I’ve ever done.

You see, I have one of those jobs that is frankly fun. I get to meet different people all the time, go to events for FREE, and take photos. And people are generally happy to see me. I’m covering their event for the Hendricks County Flyer, so they usually want me to be there.

I’ve been known to say that I will get a “real job” one day, but let’s face it, I’ve been working at the Flyer for 12 years and have been in the newspaper business for more than 15. It’s what I do. And I enjoy it.

So two years ago, a good friend of mine, Maria Larrison, introduced me to Susie’s Place. She knew my background, some of my family history, and thought that I would be a good fit for the board.

I had heard about Susie’s Place though my job here, but I had never written any of the stories about it. I had read about it and thought it was a wonderful place that helps children. I love kids and have seen first hand what child sexual abuse can do to a person.

I jumped in at Susie’s Place and believe I’ve found a place where I can make a difference, just by using my God-given skills to communicate. I help promote the organization through my work here at the paper and through my social network of friends and family.

This week we held a mixer for Susie’s Place volunteers to get them excited about events coming up this fall and in 2012. The Susie’s Place Circle of Friends, our volunteers, are a tremendous part of making Susie’s Place successful.

As a non-profit organization, our operations are paid for predominantly though grants and donations from the community. In an effort to remain completely unbiased, we do not accept any funds from either law enforcement or the prosecutor’s office. We do have a contract with the Department of Child Services that helps with a portion of our budget.

But the majority of our operating funds come from individuals, businesses, and organizations that believe in the mission of Susie’s Place. Our staff and volunteers organize events throughout the year to raise the funds needed to keep the doors open.

And we know that we’re making a difference by the cases we’ve seen through to prosecution. Susie’s Place does not just serve Hendricks County. We’ve served 18 other counties in Indiana, other states, and even other countries.

Earlier this year we opened a second center in Bloomington because the need was so great. We have three trained interviewers: Emily Perry, our executive director; Allison Creekmore, Avon center; and Whitney Mallow, Bloomington center.

It’s an exciting time. We’re outgrowing our Avon center and will be looking for a new home soon.

Sometimes I feel we’re being swept up into a whirlwind of activities and that there’s no way to raise the funds we need. But then something happens and we celebrate a new grant or new donor that comes through for us.

Yesterday, I was sitting at home on a rare day off from work, watching Lifetime movies and hanging out with my dogs when I got a call from Emily. She asked me, “Have you been moonlighting for Susie’s Place?” She was giggling a little and I could tell she was having a great day, but had no idea what she was talking about.

She then told me that a $500 contribution had been made in my name. The donor insisted on remaining anonymous but said to put it in my name because of all my “hard work and dedication to Susie’s Place.”

Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I don’t believe I’ve stopped grinning since receiving that phone call. It makes me so proud to think that someone thought enough of me to help Susie’s Place.

Gestures like this provide even more fuel to get out there and do more.

So, thank you to that donor and to all of the other people who help by giving me time to volunteer. Thank you to the Flyer for giving me space in the paper to promote activities for Susie’s Place and all of the other “pet projects” I write stories about year-round.

And thank you to the community of Hendricks County for supporting your local organizations through volunteering and monetary donations. You all make a difference every day.

Oh, and I am selling Shop Dine Give tickets for $5. The event is 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 at Metropolis and includes special offers, door prizes, and entertainment for participants. Proceeds will benefit Susie’s Place. Watch the Flyer for more details.

What? Well, you surely didn’t expect me to let an opportunity slip by without promoting Susie’s Place.

— Brenda Holmes is a staff writer at the Hendricks County Flyer. She may be reach by e-mailing to brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com or by calling 272-5800 ext. 145.