Samantha's Mother, Erin Runnion, to Speak About Transforming Tragedy Into Protecting Joy

COSTA MESA, CA, USA, September 30, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- WHAT: The Joyful Child Foundation – In Memory of SAMANTHA RUNNION announces that it is celebrating its 15th ANNIVERSARY of preventing crimes against children at a private gala for supporters and volunteers.

WHO: ERIN RUNNION, the Founding Director and mother of five-year-old Samantha Runnion who was abducted, molested, and murdered in July of 2002, will share her personal story. Three months after her daughter’s murder, which was extensively covered in national news, Ms. Runnion established The Joyful Child Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preventing crimes against children through programs that educate, empower, and unite families and communities. This special event will be hosted by fourteen-time Emmy Award winning journalist and news anchor, LAURA DIAZ.

WHEN: SATURDAY, September 30th, from 5:30PM to 9:00PM

WHERE: Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

FURTHER INFORMATION:
THIS EVENT IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
In order for press to be admitted to the event, they need to RSVP to Julia Helgeson via email at Julia@thejoyfulchild.org before SATURDAY, September 30th. Please advise if you will be filming any portion of the event.

Q & A - Brief opportunities for the press will be held at 5PM and again at 9:30PM, after the end of the event.

The Joyful Child Foundation was incorporated as a charitable organization in the state of California on September 9, 2002 and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization on October 25, 2002. In its fifteen years, The Joyful Child has trained over 500 volunteers and provided abuse and abduction prevention education to tens of thousands of parents and children. In 2013, The Joyful Child launched its BRAVE Initiative in Orange County to provide a viable model for bringing safety education to every child and family. Currently, four school districts have trained BRAVE Teachers who have collectively taught over 20,000 students the Be BRAVE – Be Safe comprehensive safety education curriculum in the classroom. The Joyful Child's mission is to prevent crimes against children through programs that educate, empower, and unite families and communities.




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The Joyful Child Foundation - PO Box 12680, Westminster, CA 92685 – www.thejoyfulchild.org
email inquiry@thejoyfulchild.org - Phone 866-756-9385 – Fax 866-702-8329

Julia Helgeson
The Joyful Child Foundation
8667569385
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