Alexandria — The Center for Alexandria’s Children marked its 10th anniversary with a

gala that honored founding community leaders and raised more than $117,000 for the mission of eliminating child abuse and neglect.

With a theme of “Hats Off!” more than 270 people attended the event held Feb. 24 at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria. Former Commonwealth Attorney S. Randy Sengel was presented the Champion for Children Award and Act for Alexandria recognized for its instrumental role in creating the organization.

“ACT has consistently provided crucial cross-sector solutions to strengthen change in our community,” said early childhood advocate Lori Morris. “ACT played a key role in bringing everyone to the table to discuss how we could address our community’s need to protect its children. ACT was the glue, the convener, the catalyst for understanding the need to change the mindset in how our community dealt with child abuse and neglect. As we sat around the table it became clear, we could not tolerate the loss of a single child.”

The Center for Alexandria’s Children is the city’s primary resource for the prevention, investigation and treatment of child abuse, with programs serving more than 1,000 at risk children and families each year. ACT helped provide funds for the center’s first five years and continues support through grants.

“ACT is extremely proud to have been a part of the formation of the Center for Alexandria’s Children,” said ACT president and CEO John Porter in receiving the honor. “Working with extremely dedicated and talented individuals wishing to make a difference, the CAC model has been a major success for our community and particularly for the children and families impacted by abuse.”

The center presented its 2017 Outstanding Dedication to Children Award to Sengel, who helped forge the union between city and private interests with a primary focus of eliminating child abuse.

“We are indebted to former Commonwealth Attorney Randy Sengel and ACT for Alexandria for providing the impetus and leadership to create a better system for protecting Alexandria’s children,” said center board chair Ellen Foltz. “Their commitment has led to the growth of the center’s outreach programs including the exponential growth of the Learn & Play Groups program, expansion of prevention training within the community and improved processing and management of cases involving abused children.”

Sponsors of the event included: Bruhn-Morris Family Foundation, Giving Circle of Alexandria, Mason Hirst Foundation, Strategic Financial Management, The RunningBrooke Fund, Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP, CardWorks, DRS, The Goodhart Group, Simpson Development, Mcearney Associates, Citi Private Bank, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Alston & Bird LLP and Grant Thornton LLP.

The Center for Alexandria’s Children provides comprehensive care to children victimized by sexual or physical abuse, or as witnesses to violence, as well as prevention and outreach programs for families. For more information, call 703-746-6008 or visit www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org.