Lauren’s Kids Founder and CEO Lauren Book recently recognized Bill Ussery Motors Group president Greg Barnes and Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables (MBCG) for their “Driven to Prevent Child Abuse” partnership earlier this year in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Through this partnership, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables has placed the Lauren’s Kids specialty plate “Love & Healing” on its entire fleet of loaner vehicles.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables,” Book said during the plaque presentation. “Featuring our specialty tag since April increases awareness and helps us reach even more members of the Miami-Dade community with information about prevention, reporting and healing from abuse.”
Lauren’s Kids created the “Love & Healing” specialty license plate as a symbol of hope and healing for the 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse in the U.S., it was approved for sale to Florida motorists in 2014. The plate was designed and named by internationally acclaimed artist Romero Britto.
“We care about our community, protecting children and helping survivors heal,” Barnes said. “Each vehicle serves as another public awareness tool about the important work being done by Lauren’s Kids, which empowers children to disclose abuse and seek help.”
Florida statute dictates that $25 of each “Love & Healing” specialty plate sale will be given to Lauren’s Kids to fund education and awareness efforts to prevent sexual abuse and help survivors heal in communities throughout the state.
As of August, there were 5,500 plates on Florida’s roads.
An official 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2007, Lauren’s Kids educates adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, Addy and Emmy Award-winning public awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world.
The organization also leads an annual statewide “Walk in My Shoes” awareness walk across the state of Florida — 1,500 miles from the Southernmost Point of the U.S. in Key West to the Capitol in Tallahassee — and provides more than 8 million direct mail education and awareness materials statewide. The foundation has helped advocate for the passage of nearly two dozen laws to support survivors and protect children from predators.
For information about Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables visit www.mbcoralgables.com.
