Blog

We have many thank-yous to share after Saturday’s 29^th annual Caper, held at the Kentucky International Convention Center, following the University of Louisville Cardinals-Boston College basketball game.

Thanks to the volunteers, who are so important to the event and to our work with children and families. To the food partners – Joella’s Hot Chicken, Chuy’s, Rocky’s Sub Pub, Famous Dave’s, Buckhead Mountain Grill, Mark’s Feed Store, Centerplate and Sweet Frog Yogurt – for providing such tasty bites. To the Caper Committee, who helped plan and execute the event – Lauren O’Conner, Joe Clay, Mona Jenkins, Allie Jorrisch, Max McKiernan and Leanne Love.

Thanks to our sponsors, starting with our official Smile and presenting sponsor, Delta Dental of Kentucky, along with Kindred Healthcare, Brown-Forman, A. Arnold World Class Relocation, Fifth Third Bank, Professional Bank Services, Northwestern Mutual, Spring River Business Park and Tri Arrows Aluminum. Other sponsors included Bingham Greenbaum Doll LLP, PNC Institutional Investments, North Vernon Beverage Co., and Stock Yards Bank.

Thanks to legendary Louisville Coach Denny Crum for helping create this event so many years ago and for continuing to attend to meet and greet fans, and thanks this year for letting us honor you for your amazing service with the first ever Denny Crum Community Service Award. You earn recognition every day with what you do for us and the Greater Louisville community.

Thanks to the Louisville City Football Club for coming out and kicking some soccer balls around with our younger fans, and to the Louisville Cardinals and the U of L Athletics Department for coming by, for spending time with fans and letting them show they’ve got your back and they’re big believers. You guys rock!

Thanks, Jason Anderson of ESPN 680 for emceeing, and Murray McCandless, our energetic auctioneer, and Mike Rutherford, for so humbly offering – or setting – yourself up in a HORSE shot for shot basketball contest.

Thanks to the hundreds of people who came out for Caper, who showed their support through ticket purchases, bids in the silent and live auctions and personal donations. While there were many familiar faces in the crowd –it’s always great to see old friends – there were new faces as well, enjoying the food, fun, games and face time with the Cards, but also interested in learning more about child abuse, its impact on the community and how they can plug in to help.

There are so many wonderful things about Caper, but key is that while it’s a fun event, it’s framed around a serious subject – child violence, abuse and neglect. It’s fun with purpose, a point.

Every friend made, every dollar bid, pledged, donated and raised supports critical programs and services for children and families hurt by abuse, for at-risk students, for new parents who need a hand up to raise a healthy baby, to ensure safe visitations and to help families stay in their homes.

Clients and the community depend on these services, so Caper helps Family & Children’s Place keep its commitment, providing proven interventions, treatment, counseling and other services that help child victims and their families recover from and prevent future abuse.

Together we are building brighter futures for everyone, so we hope you are looking as forward to the 30^th annual Caper, early on in 2017, as we are.