Kids get to meet their superheroes
Characters help raise funds for Harbor House.
Super heroes and princesses from the pages of comic books, and more recently the movies, greeted children at a fund raiser for Rome’s Harbor House on Saturday.
Spider-Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman and Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” were among the special characters who spent time with youngsters at the fundraising brunch Saturday at Garden Lakes Baptist Church.
The event benefited Harbor House Child Advocacy Center, a facility where children who have been victims of crime, abuse or neglect can be interviewed by authorities in a comfortable, kidfriendly setting.
Executive Director Joe Costolnick said Harbor House is one of 49 Child Advocacy Centers across Georgia.
“We conduct forensic interviews specifically at the request of law enforcement or the Division of Family and Children Services,” he said. “Those are the only two agencies that can request an interview with our staff. We also refer the victims out for particular community services or get them signed up for services we offer in-house.”
Funding or the agency comes largely from grants and community contributions. Costolnick said the state does require the agency to be pro-active in generating fiscal support from the communities they serve.
Belle, from “Beauty and the Beast,” signs an autograph for a shy Briley Baker Eads, 5, at Saturday’s character brunch.
Tyler Costolnick (from left), 8, Madyson Thacker, 8, and SpiderMan hang out at Garden Lakes Baptist Church on Saturday during a fundraising character brunch for Harbor House.
Luke Flaherty attended the brunch and said Spider-Man was the coolest character he got to meet.
“He can sling ropes and do lots of cool stunts,” said Flaherty who has seen all the Spider-Man movies and added that the most recent in the franchise — “Spider-Man: Homecoming” — was the best.
Madyson Thacker said she liked Captain America because she thought Doug Walker / Doug Walker / RN-T RN-T
his shield was pretty cool.
In 2017, Harbor House served 260 children. Costolnick said the average number served has been between 200 and 300 a year and the 2018 numbers are on pace to once again top 250.
Kids paid $25 each Saturday for the opportunity to meet the superheroes, and get autographs and photos made with them as well as have brunch. TUESDAY
The Floyd County Board of Commissioners Floyd County Coroner grand opening of the new Floyd County Morgue, 431 Mathis Road. The building will be open for public inspection on from 10 a.m.-noon and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. For more information contact the Floyd County Clerk’s office at 706-291-5110.
will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Red Lobster, 700 Shorter Ave. Gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Hunter Hill will speak. Judge candidates Emily Matson and Kay Ann Wetherington will be guests. on at 10 a.m. at Anna K. Davie Elementary, on at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at West End Elementary, on at 4 p.m. at West Central Elementary, on at 6 p.m. at East Central Elementary, on at noon at North Heights Elementary and on
at 2 p.m. at Elm Street Elementary. To RSVP or ask questions call Ginger Rowston at 706-236-5050 ext. 5034 or email growston@rcs.rome.ga.us.
Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Senior Promotions Council Senior Inforum Wednesday
and the will present the 30th annual from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on at the Thornton Recreation Center, 102 N. Floyd Park Road, Armuchee. Tickets are $5 each and available at the Charles C. Parker Senior Center,
1325 Kingston Highway. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. The event features exhibits with information on programs and services geared toward senior citizens, lunch, live entertainment and door prizes. Exhibit space is $25 for nonprofits and $150 for for-profit. For vendor information contact Sheree Williams at 706-234-1655 or sheree.williams@ brookdale.com. For more call 706-234-0383.
The will have a luncheon at 11 a.m. at Coosa Country Club, 110 Branham Ave. Master Gardener Nellie Luthi will speak. For reservations contact Jane Franssen at janeffranssen@ gmail.com or 706-236-2527. The cost is $19.
To list an event email RomeNewsTribune@ RN-T.com or call 706-290-5252.