By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/Staff Writer

Owens House exceeded its own expectations last April when it raised over $13,000 to fund its services for abused children.

Led by senior Myrah Taylor, Oak Mountain High School peer assistants campaigned for the organization’s cause by informing and educating sixth graders in the Oak Mountain School system about child abuse, how to recognize it and how to take preventative action against it.

The high school students also raised $1,507 for Owens House in donations and T-shirt and wristband sales. Parents joined in the cause by placing blue ribbons on their doors and mailboxes.

April’s campaign against child abuse extended into May as 50 motorcyclists took to the roads May 17 in the 60-mile 15^th annual Blue Ribbon Ride around Shelby County.

Riders started and finished their rides at the Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson dealership in Pelham. Heart of Dixie HOG hosts the event each year.

$12,250 was raised through the Blue Ribbon Ride to fund Owens House counseling services, surpassing the goal of $10,000.

Owens House has been celebrating and promoting National Child Abuse Prevention Month since the organization’s birth in 1993.

Executive Director of Owens House Cindy Greer explained that the campaign has been impactful simply by “building awareness so that people know what (Owens House does) and become aware of how they can be involved in preventing child abuse.”

Owens House provides free services for the prevention and intervention of child abuse, primarily child sexual abuse, in Shelby County.