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The founding group then recognized the need to develop a strong Board consisting of a cross-section of Johnson county and set about to recruit members with a heart for children and a willingness to volunteer their time and talents.  Thus was created a Center that today has been used as a model for other Children’s Advocacy Centers. The founding group recruited Nella Wright and Sue Rebstock, who along with Nancy, Ruth Ann and Terri have continued to serve in various positions on the Board of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Johnson County. Byron Black stayed on the Board for an extended period of time and his wife, Barbara, now serves on the Board.

In 1997, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Johnson County became a reality.  Child Protective Services and local Law Enforcement personnel were appointed as Board members. State protocol provided that the three largest law enforcement agencies in the County, the Sheriff’s Office, Cleburne Police Department and Burleson Police Department should have a permanently assigned Board member based on a rightful belief that the majority cases would originate from these three agencies. The smaller agencies combined to vote on one representative and this practice continues today.

One of the first challenges for the new Board was that of funding to off-set very limited funding from the state. In 1997,  Board Member Byron Black organized and implemented a golf tournament, which netted a small  but significant profit for the CAC. In 1998, a Children’s Stick Horse Rodeo was added, along with a police and firefighter amateur Rodeo.  The profit from that event was $10,000.

In 1999, the second year of the amateur rodeo event netted over $14,000. The rodeo continued and the CAC was blessed and encouraged with a moderate increase in net profit each year. In 1999, the rodeo and the golf tournament continued to raise the much needed additional

moved into the  big-time when they changed to a PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Sanctioned Event.  Sheriff Alford suggested that they host a dinner/auction on the Friday night preceding the Saturday Children's Stick Horse Rodeo, Celebrity Team Roping and the PBR Bull Riding. J.J. and Bobby Norris donated the use of their spacious and artfully designed indoor arena for the Friday night dinner. Numerous celebrities attended and Friday night dinner was a huge success. It has grown into a major and eagerly anticipated event of its own each year.

In 2007 and 2008, the Children's Stick Horse Rodeo, the Friday night dinner/auction, Celebrity Team Roping, Wild Steer Saddling (a carryover from the Rodeo days) and of course the PBR Bull Riding continued to grow in size, number of celebrities and attendance at all of the events. The PBR has attracted the very best of bull riders and bulls from the PBR circuit. The celebrities who have volunteered their time and talents to OUR fundraisers have included: Donnie Gay, Pam Minick, Susie McEntire Luchsinger, Debbie Garrison, Sonny Burgess, Dean Smith, Barry Corbin, Larry Mahan, Roy & Tuffy Cooper, Charlie Throckmorton, Buck Taylor, Red Stegall, Walt Garrison, Bobby Norris, Dan Roberts, Alex Cord, Ted Nuce, Robert Fuller, Jennifer Savage, Byron Walker, Jay Novacek, Randy Watson and Chad Eubank (who also just joined the Board of the CAC).

The Rodeo/Bull Riding Events have netted over $1,000,000 for YOUR Children’s Advocacy Center in our twelve years of fundraising. Since 2008, the PBR & dinner have become the only fundraiser for OUR CAC.
 
The overwhelming success of the Dinner and PBR event would not be possible without the faithful support and generous contributions from our corporate and individual sponsors. "YOU", the corporate and individual sponsors, are the reason that "OUR CENTER" can continue to serve the citizens who need our help the most, the victims of sexual, physical and mental abuse, "OUR CHILDREN"!!

Bob Alford, Johnson County Sheriff