SCCAC Butterfly Release Attracts Large Gathering of Families to Downtown

April 10, 2025 (Photo Album) - The Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center celebrated its 14th Butterfly Release on Thursday, April 10, 2025 on the Historic Downtown Square with a large gathering of families from all over Shelby County.

In front of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office, Collin Mathews, Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the SCCAC, welcomed everyone and introduced Bro. Rob Merriman from Shelbyville First Baptist Church to say a prayer. Bro. Merriman thanked God for the community turnout. He prayed for protection over the community and the Children's Advocacy Center, for comfort for those in pain and comfort for the families, and he gave thanks for the Advocacy Center and the job they do.


Shelby County Advocacy Center Representatives

Mathews shared after the prayer, "On behalf of the board and all the great people that work at the center, I would like to thank you all for coming out and showing your support in all of our efforts to protect all of our children. I would also like to thank Farmers State Bank for sponsoring this event." He then gave the microphone to City of Center Mayor David Chadwick.

Mayor Chadwick addressed the crowd speaking, "It is truly amazing the number of people around but what's more amazing is these are not people here just to release butterflies, you are people who are concerned about the issues of abuse, child abuse, in Shelby County. This is something that we do not like to talk about but it is here." Mayor Chadwick then spoke about 'why butterflies' saying it is because they are the national symbol of happiness, of rebirth, of new life. "That is what children's advocacy center's goal is, is to give new life, new meaning to children who have been abused."

Mayor Chadwick then instructed everyone to let their butterflies out of the little blue triangle envelopes so they could wake up and fly!

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