For Immediate Release         Media Contact:  Steve Kappler or Marjorie Beenders
August 05, 2008                   Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: info@tbwgroup.net

Visitors Can Enjoy Blues & BBQ and Help Kids
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

 Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Support a vital children’s agency while you enjoy great blues music and delectable Lake of the Ozarks barbecue at the first-ever Blues & BBQ.  The fun event is set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Osage Beach Elks Lodge on Highway 54.

Sponsored by the Lake Area Blues Society, the event will benefit Kids Harbor Child Advocacy Center, an Osage Beach-based organization that provides a child-friendly atmosphere for children who may be victims of neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.  Last year the agency helped more than 390 children.

Tickets for Blues and BBQ will be $20 in advance or $25 at the door.  The ticket price will include music by former Ozark Mountain Daredevils keyboardist Buddy Brayfield, a physician and co-founder of Kids Harbor, along with his band, Keyed Up.  Members of the Lake Area Blues Society also will be on hand for what’s sure to be a memorable jam session.  Barbecue and more will be donated by Bandana’s, Wobbly Boots Roadhouse, Somebody Else’s BBQ and Hy-Vee.

Kids Harbor Community Coordinator Brooklyn Braun notes the fundraiser will help the agency continue to provide forensic interviews, advocate services, specialized exams, counseling and other services throughout a 10-county area.  Kids Harbor staff also work with local and regional law enforcement agencies, as well as, legal, medical and mental health experts to evaluate, treat, prevent and prosecute child abuse.  The center also operates a satellite office in St. Robert, serving the Fort Leonard Wood area.

In addition, Braun coordinates a prevention program that uses a lively puppet show to teach school-age children about sexual abuse.  Last year she presented the program to more than 1,200 children.

“We thought this would be a fun event for the Lake area and everybody just took off and ran with it,” says Braun.  “We hope to make Blues & BBQ an annual event.”

 For more information, please contact Kids Harbor at 573-348-6886 or email kidsharbor@charter.net.
And for more information on all the Lake’s many events, attractions and facilities, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or online at www.funlake.com.

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