More churches than ever join forces in Cooke County Carnival

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Jake Wade, right, tries to unseat Lydia Hardcastle who was working the dunking booth at the Cooke County Carnival held Saturday to benefit Abigail’s Arms. More photos on page 2. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
Maria Vega, left, of Abigail’s Arms gets some assistance from her son, Caleb Vega, at the agency’s booth during the Cooke County Carnival for Abigail’s Arms. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
Nereida Puente, left, hands a purple balloon to Dena Yates, center, and Rachel Yates. Puente was one of a group of volunteers who helped with the first Cooke County Carnival to raise money for Abigail’s Arms. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
Cody Klement, right, gives his daughter, Lucy Klement, a lift at the Cooke County Carnival to benefit Abigail’s Arms. He was joined by his wife, Dana Klement, and younger daughter, Holly Klement. Staff photo by Delania Trigg

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June 25, 2012

More churches than ever join forces in Cooke County Carnival

By DELANIA TRIGG, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Mon Jun 25, 2012, 09:24 AM CDT

Gainesville — At least 20 local churches participated in the first Cooke County Carnival at Keneteso Park Saturday in Gainesville.

The event featured games, music and food with all proceeds going to help support construction of the Abigail’s Arms family crisis shelter.

Most of the vendors were volunteers from area churches.

Abigail’s Arms executive director Kim Cook said she was thrilled with local participation.

“I’ve talked to some local historians and I believe this is the first time so many churches have come together for a single cause,” she said. “That’s the thing that stands out the most for me.”

Cook said money raised by carnival volunteers will help fund progress on the agency’s family shelter which will built near U.S. Highway 82 East in Gainesville. The 9,000 square foot facility will have living quarters for clients, full-time employees and volunteers on staff.

The facility is also slated to include a children’s playground, offices, a computer lab, and both kitchen and dining facilities.

Cook said workers should begin pouring the shelter’s foundation by the end of June.

Of the $950,000 cost of the project, Abigail’s Arms has secured close to half the required funding.

Despite its cost, building a domestic violence shelter is vital for the community, said volunteer Steve Roach who helped with First Baptist Church’s booth.

“A shelter is a tremendous need,” he said. “Right now, (domestic violence victims) must go some place like the shelter in Denton County. Many times that’s very disruptive to their lives. It’s a long way away from work and school.”

He also said individuals in family crisis situations often believe they must stay with their abusers because they don’t have any other place to go.

Cook said while the shelter is a pressing need, she’d like residents to know Abigail’s Arms is already a sound resource for families in crisis.

“Abigail’s Arms is here to provide services to the victims who feel they have no voice, who’ve lost their way or who thinks no one cares...We care.”

Saturday’s carnival was designed to coincide with “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” which ends July 1.

For more information about Abigail’s Arms, visit www.abigailsarms.org.