BROOKHAVEN — Magnolia Blues BBQ Company raised $3,500 thanks to a packed restaurant last Tuesday for the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center. It is the sixth year the restaurant has raised funds for the program which serves children in abusive or neglected situations. 

Owner Carl Craig said they raised an estimated $20,000 over the last six years to help the group. Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center was founded in 1999 to help “victims become children again,” and is an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance. 

“Giving back to the community is something we believe in,” Craig said. “The center is close to us. We do two fundraisers a year. One is for the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League and the other is for the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center. We wanted to support those groups the most.” 

His wife Anne Craig worked with the advocacy center for three years and still sees clients from time to time. The center brings law enforcement, child protection, victim advocacy, prosecution, mental and/or medical health treatment services under one umbrella to best serve children in the community. 

Last year, Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center helped 825 children last year and has served an estimated 7,500 children since 2000. Pike and Lincoln counties are the most served counties in their area, executive director Kim Walley said. 

Magnolia Blue’s Fundraising helps the center continue their mission. People are also welcome to donate to Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center online at swmscac.org. 

“We appreciate Magnolia Blue’s support,” Walley said. “Our grants are restrictive on what they can be used for so donations help cover our out of pocket expenses. This takes care of the overhead and goes towards salaries. Things grants can’t cover, we rely on the fundraiser to help pay for.”

Lead Forensic Investigator Alicia Linton said she was appreciative of how well Lincoln County as a whole works together on child abuse cases. 

People can help report suspected abuse online at reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov or by calling the Mississippi Abuse Hotline at 1-800-222-8000.