‘Predator’ Host Helps YWCA Raise Funds for Sex Victims
By Kelly Adams, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.
Oct. 4–Chris Hansen had heads shaking with his tales of online predators caught on tape during Wednesday’s YWCA Benefit -Luncheon.
During his more than three years hosting the “Dateline NBC” program “To Catch A Predator,” he’s encountered men from a wide variety of professions looking to have sex with children. There was the New York City firefighter, the rabbi and the guy who walked into the house naked.
But it was Erin Nolan, the chief civil deputy for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, who had the 830 people in attendance reaching for their checkbooks.
An active board member and organizer for the luncheon, Nolan gave new meaning to the idea of a personal appeal.
She told the story about a 6-year-old girl molested by the friend of a babysitter. How scared the little girl was, and how she lacked the vocabulary to talk about what happened. The child carried the secret and blamed herself.
When the girl grew up, she struggled with trust in her adult relationships.
“I’m that 6-year-old girl,” she said.
Nolan told her story, she said, to make sure other little girls have the help they need.
“I believe in the power of the YWCA and its programs,” she said. “They’re making it much easier for children with secrets to tell.”
With that, she asked those in attendance to give generously.
“Why don’t you write us a big check?,” Nolan said as people reached for donation envelopes.
The contributions were not tallied as of Wednesday afternoon. The first $40,000 will be matched by several sponsors.n
How to get involved
Contact the YWCA Clark County at 3609 Main St., Vancouver, or call 360-696-0167.
On the Web: www.ywcaclarkcounty.org .
Did you know?
– The YWCA Clark County serves 10,000 people every year.
– The Sexual Assault Program provides services to more than 2,400 victims of sexual assault every year.
– There are 560 people who volunteer their time with the YWCA; representing a dollar value of $630,180.
SOURCE: YMCA Clark County
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