11/02/2005

Volunteers Launch Grassroots Efforts to Raise Attorneys Fees for Appeal for a 9-year-old Girl

CHICAGO, Ill., Nov. 2 /Christian Wire Service/ -- A group of volunteers focused on child advocacy is actively recruiting members nationally to help raise money for attorneys fees in an unusual way -- by selling candy bars!

Kandy 4 Keyarah is a nationally growing grassroots group of volunteers who are organizing to raise attorneys fees for Keyarah's appeal through selling candy bars and hosting benefits events. With volunteer representatives in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Washington and Colorado, they are actively seeking volunteers to lead the growing effort in other states as well. "We will NOT stop until we see justice served," said Ava Ivy, Illinois Volunteer Leader, "-- and this child returned to her home -- we will reach our goal -- if we have to.......one candy bar at a time".

One such benefit event is a Koncert 4 Keyarah! Benefit Concert scheduled for November 19, 2005, at 1 p.m., at the Westin O'Hare Hotel, 6100 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois, which will hopefully raise money for Keyarah's appeal fund as well as raise awareness of this growing problem within the nation's family courts system. This kick off activity in the Chicagoland area will spotlight Keyarah, a 9-year old girl, an unfortunate victim caught up in court actions within the family courts system between Washington and Kentucky. Keyarah's biological father was granted sole custody. According to Keyarah's mother, Darla LeNoir, a disabled army veteran diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, she just wants justice served and family law adhered to. "I haven't been able to speak to my daughter via telephone since January of this year, and I've only been allowed to see her twice with a supervisor present – and that was in July," she said. "I just want to make sure my child is safe and happy."

Although the benefit concert will feature some of Chicagoland's best vocalists, spoken word and dance artists, with donations accepted, the need for volunteers to help with Kandy 4 Keyarah is of equal importance. "Hopefully, this will begin to raise awareness of situations like this which seem to be on the rise," says LeNoir. "I am finding that organizations like United for Justice – an advocacy group specifically working to create justice in the family court system, as well as Justice for Children, and Kourts for Kids have a huge arsenal of stories not unlike mine. We need to see that innocent children are treated like the treasures they are supposed to be – they too, need to be heard."

For additional information, or to help in several ways: are you part of a youth group? ...a girls scouts or boys scouts group? Do you know lots of people who would like to sell candy bars for a beneficial cause? Would you? Are you a natural advocate or sales person? Do you have leadership skills? Would you like to use your creative energy to sponsor an event for a beneficial cause such as this? If this is you, please call 877-KANDY4KEYARAH (877-526-3945). You can also visit the website at www.kandy4keyarah.org

About Kandy 4 Keyarah:

You will see lips and the color purple used throughout all of our information -- Why?...the lips are Keyarah's favorite icon and the color purple -- Keyarah's favorite as well. Additionally, the lips indicate voices -- the ability to speak and be heard -- we need to ensure that not just Keyarah's, but ALL children's voices within the family court system, MUST BE HEARD. We are a nationally growing grassroots group of volunteers who are organizing to raise attorneys fees for Keyarah's appeal through selling candy bars and hosting benefits events. We will NOT stop until we see justice served -- and this child returned to her loving, stable and nurturing home -- we will reach our goal -- one candy bar at a time!