Annual Meeting and Pillar of Hope Awards 2026

You are cordially invited! The 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center will hold its Pillar of Hope Awards and Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 6-7:30 PM.

The Pillar of Hope Award is so named because our Center has four strong pillars on the Center’s welcoming front porch, and the Award is given to a “pillar in our community” who serves children wholeheartedly. The Center will honor the following recipients of the Center’s Pillar of Hope Awards for 2026: Walt Blevins, the Maple Hill church of Christ, Assistant District Attorney Tom Swink, and Lebanon Police Department Detective Matt Wigger.

Rather than receive gifts on his birthday each year, young Walt Blevins chooses instead to do a toy drive benefiting the children served at our Center, and brings a large load each year. He has given every year since his first birthday, for a total of 10 years!

The Maple Hill church has given generously to our Center, offering support in so very many ways. Their quilting group makes quilts for young victims of abuse. Church volunteers paint, help clean, move furniture, and more. But in the fall of 2025, they also raised over $6,500 for a specific need for two children who experienced a devastating loss.

Assistant District Attorney Tom Swink faithfully prosecutes those responsible for child abuse. Prosecuting child abuse cases for many years, Tom is tireless in pursuing justice for young victims of abuse in our District.

Detective Matt Wigger not only does his job investigating crimes against children, but goes above and beyond to do it with kindness and compassion. In a work that not many choose to do, he chooses to remain steadfast in service.

The 15th CAC continues to serve child victims of severe physical and sexual abuse in Wilson, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, and Jackson Counties.

“We are deeply grateful to our Pillar of Hope recipients this year! It truly takes a village to serve our District’s children, and this year’s recipients are very special to us. It’s such a privilege to serve beside our Pillars of Hope.” Heather Wamble, Executive Director for the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center said. “Together, we are making Tennessee a safer, stronger place for children.”