Announcing Operation Fuzzy!

Dear Friends, Family and Fellow Advocates:

Since the creation of the Franks Foundation, we have been striving to provide education and information to the public as a means of preventing the sexual abuse of children. We've also consistently supported state and federal legislation designed to protect America's children from sexual predators. Most recently, we've added a new service designed to aid victims of childhood sexual abuse.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2007, the Franks Foundation launched a new campaign named "Operation Fuzzy." We deliberately chose this date as a way of honoring the heroes of September 11th. "Operation Fuzzy" is the delivery of "comfort kits" to child victims of sexual abuse in pediatric emergency rooms throughout the Richmond, Virginia area. These "comfort kits" include stuffed animals, pads of plain drawing paper and crayons - all wrapped up in a child-themed pillow case. The idea for these kits was developed after a conversation I had with a forensics nurse in the pediatric emergency room at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. The stuffed animals serve two purposes; the first is for the child to tell the authorities how and where they were hurt and for the nurses in turn to show the child how they are going to be examined. The second purpose so that the child can hold onto the stuffed animal for comfort during their examination. The crayons and drawing paper are for the children to draw on, often using art as an expression and illustration of what they've been through. The child- themed pillow cases are for the child to carry their comfort kits in when they leave the hospital. These items need to be brand new and are of course for the child to keep.

In the first two months alone, "Operation Fuzzy" quickly expanded to five hospitals in the Richmond area. Our largest "customer" is the Medical College of Virginia, who treat an average of 800 sexually abused children each year. "Operation Fuzzy" has been a real hit, not only with the forensics nurses, but most importantly with the children we serve. The Franks Foundation is honored and proud to help these young victims of crime during their time of need. We are grateful for the opportunity to make these children's lives a little bit easier.

If you are interested in helping us with "Operation Fuzzy," we would welcome your support. The cost of these comfort kits come to $25 each and are tax-deductible. You may contribute in one of two ways: (1) electronically by clicking on the "Donations" link of our website, or (2) by mailing a check to the Franks Foundation at P.O. Box 11407, Richmond, Virginia 23230.

Sincerely,

Polly Franks, Executive Director
The Franks Foundation
P.O. Box 11407
Richmond, Virginia 23230
(804) 564-9196
www.franksfoundation.org