Sports anchor Dale Hansen of WFAA-TV recently endorsed the efforts of Cloud 9 Charities in Flower Mound.

Hansen, who managed to elude an attack by a sexual predator as a child, recently went public with his story acknowledging that the culture of silence which permeates our society allows perpetrators to continue to victimize children.

He reacted to the NCAA sanctions against Penn State with the observation that while the severity of the punishment caught many in the sports world by surprise, he believes it is an important indication that we as a society have finally arrived at the "end of complacency toward those who do not uphold their obligation to protect children from abuse."

Cloud 9 Charities is a non-profit fundraising organization which has provided over $500,000 to worthy causes over the past several years, many of whom have a direct impact on the lives of abuse victims. Funds raised at its upcoming 10th anniversary Fashion Show & Casino Night fundraiser on November 10 are earmarked for four area charities:

- CASA of Denton and Dallas Counties. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides a dedicated adult sponsor who oversees a child's best interests who has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect.

- Children's Advocacy Center of Denton County is focused on legal support, healing and justice for child victims. Last year it provided over 9,000 hours of therapy and counseling to victims, and provided legal strategies and support which multiple perpetrators to jail.

- Pediplace, which provides free healthcare services, including doctor visits and immunizations, to North Texas children in financial need. Pediplace provided over 23,000 office visits to children from Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Collin Counties in its most recent year of operations.

- The Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E. (Consumer Awareness of Unsafe Service Employment), which seeks to educate and enable consumers and businesses on the need to ensure that workers who perform services in people's homes are properly screened annually for the protection of the public.

Cloud 9 Charities is currently seeking donations of popular items for the live and silent auction components of its November 10 fundraiser. The organization is expecting a sell-out and has lined up a wide range of entertainment to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its event. 

If you would like to make a donation, become a sponsor, or purchase tickets, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 469-265-7026. See their video with more information here.