The sounds of music filled the air as people socialized and placed bets on a silent auction during the Citizen’s Against Child Abuse’ eighth annual “Band Together” event at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Wednesday.

Band Together has been a fundraiser planned to raise money to buy Christmas gifts for children who may not have a Christmas.

Camille Gordon, president of Citizens Against Child Abuse, or CACA, said the funds through Band Together are set aside for individuals who fall through the cracks, such as teenagers and older children.

“(Also) some of the kids that come into our domestic violence shelter the day before Christmas,” Gordon said. “We support them and we go buy (for) them as well.”

Gordon said this is the Band Together event is the only fundraiser that is done throughout the year for CACA.

“This is the only thing we do for Christmas,” Gordon said.

Althea Pentergast, a member of CACA, said the members of the group will bring names of kids who need something for Christmas who may not have qualified for other programs.

Pendergast said the money used to buy Christmas gifts comes from the money collected after the event is over.

“After the evening we will look at what we got from the silent auction, the 50/50 raffle, and dinner, and we just total that money up and give it to kids who need it,” Pendergast said.

Those in attendance were able to bid on different items through a silent auction, including a basket of Christmas bake set and cookbook, and a wooden rocking motorcycle.

The music played was live and performed by Big Blue Mountain, Breakaway and Tequila Mockinbyrd.

The CACA is made up of different members of the community members that either work for different agencies or are retired, and they are interested in preventing child abuse.

Gordon said the CACA tries to prevent child abuse however they can through education, supporting their needs, or any other way they are able to.

Gordon said the CACA treasurer writes a grant to the Charleston Charitable Foundation to get the funds they need throughout the year.

“We give out money for school supplies or clothing needs or medication or whatever aspect we’re looking at to prevent child abuse,” Gordon said.

Pendergast said the CACA are always looking for donations from anyone willing to donate.

“Donations could be dropped off at Big Brothers, Big Sisters, at 825 18th St. in Charleston,” Pendergast said.

Mackenzie Freund can be reached at 581-2812 or at mgfreund@eiu.edu.