Louisville organization holds annual breakfast raising money to fight child abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An annual awards celebration Thursday morning in Louisville helped raise money and awareness about child abuse.

The Exploited Children's Help Organization (ECHO) hosted the seventh annual Pancakes and Pinwheels Awards Breakfast. The event celebrates people, organizations and schools that are making a difference in the fight to end child abuse.

The organization was founded after the disappearance of 12-year-old Ann Gotlib in 1983. According to ECHO, one in 10 children in the U.S. will be sexually abused before they turn 18.

"For more than 40 years, ECHO has served as a catalyst in child abuse prevention, education for children youth and adults," said Ariel Powell, director of programs at ECHO. "ECHO's mission is dedicated to preventing and reducing the impact of child abuse by providing education advocacy and support services to the children and families of Metro Louisville."

The keynote speaker Wednesday was Jennifer Beagle, who shared the story of how she went from being a victim of child abuse to being on Florida's most wanted list and eventually turning her life around.

To learn more about ECHO or donate, click here.