ST. GEORGE — Employees at Ken Garff St. George Ford/Lincoln worked this week to transform the observation room at the Washington County Children’s Justice Center in St George.
The employees donated their time and gave the room a makeover complete with paint, new cabinets and new furniture.
The Washington County Children’s Justice Center is a homelike, child-friendly facility where children who have been victims of abuse or other crimes are referred to begin their path to healing.
The community effort is part of the Ken Garff “We’re ‘Hear’ for You” initiative that started as a way to give back to the community during the pandemic. Today, it has grown to help thousands of Utahns and many more in other states where Ken Garff dealerships operate.
“Working with Children’s Justice Center, we saw an opportunity to reach out with love,” said Community Partnership and Events Manager Kate Terry. “Our employees love giving back to the CJC who work so hard around the clock to keep the children in our community safe. We want them to feel our love and appreciation.”
In March 2020, Ken Garff launched a 42-day project to buy from community businesses and give back to community people, organizations and businesses in need as a temporary gesture.
At the end of that promise, Ken Garff employees loved serving the community so much that the program, called “We’re ‘Hear’ for You” — a play off of Ken Garff’s famous “We Hear You” advertising campaign — continued and is now in its third year.
“We won’t stop this program,” said Chairwoman Katharine Garff. “It will continue on.”
The Washington County Children’s Justice Center is funded through a public/private partnership that includes limited state and local money as well as grants and community donations.
“Your tax-deductible contributions are used wisely to help us provide a safe, comfortable place for children to share details about their abuse, and to train and support the professionals who will help each child on their journey to becoming a thriving survivor,” according to the nonprofit organization’s website.
For more on volunteer opportunities at the children’s justice center or to donate funds for medical supplies, family health support and related child-care needs, visit their website.
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