For Camille Downing, October is already here.

That’s why the executive director of the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center is in a fast-forward, fundraising mode.

Come October, the CAC’s VOCA grant funding will be cut by 12 percent. That equates to a $10,600 reduction in operating funds and Downing said it’s critical that those funds be made up.

“We need to make up that deficit now so that, come October, we won’t be scrambling trying to make up the difference,” Downing said. “So, right now, I’m thinking fundraising, fundraising, fundraising in all of the four counties that we serve – Pike, Barbour, Bullock and Coffee.

“This week I’ve been involved in a couple of fundraising efforts. On Monday, I spoke to the Bullock County Commission asking for the CAC to be a line item in their budget for next year and Friday (today) I’ll be at Wal-Green’s in Enterprise. Wal-Green’s has agreed to assist our fundraising efforts by allowing us to set up a sales booth where we’ll sell blue ribbons that bring awareness to child abuse prevention, CAC Child Abuse Prevention T-shirts and CAC Supporter window decals.”

Wal-Green’s in Troy is also participating in the CAC’s fundraising campaign. A CAC sales booth will be set up at the Troy Wal-Green’s location between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. on April 20.

“Of course, with April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are involved in a month- long effort to raise funds through the sale of ribbons and T-shirts,” Downing said. “Troy has been very supportive of our efforts. We have sold between 40 and 50 bows and that’s all profit because the local florists have been so generous in donating the bows. T-shirt sales are also moving along and we appreciate the support from the community.”

Downing said that the CAC is dedicated to reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect and supporting families in crisis situations.

“Each year hundreds of children in Alabama are victims of child abuse,” she said. “The blue ribbon is a positive symbol of the need to do one’s best when it comes to children and their families.

“Since 1989, thousands of people nationwide wear the blue ribbons during April and also year around to create awareness of the need to prevent child abuse and neglect.”