The Children's Trust Fund will mark its 25th anniversary Nov. 2 with a fundraiser honoring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who sponsored Michigan's landmark legislation creating the trust fund.

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the home of Ron and Heather Boji in Orchard Lake. General tickets are $100, and sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $5,000. A special sponsor reception will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased by calling 1-800-CHILDREN or 517-373-4320.

As a Michigan lawmaker, Stabenow sponsored Public Act 250 of 1982 which was later signed into law by then-Gov. William Milliken. In doing so, Michigan was the first state in the nation with a dedicated child abuse prevention organization and funded solely through donations, including a check-off box on Michigan state income tax forms.

"The consequences of child abuse and neglect are as tragic and costly as they were 25 years ago," Stabenow said. "This 25th anniversary celebration is one important way that people can take positive action to address this critical problem."

Dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, the Children's Trust Fund works in partnership with local councils in Michigan's 83 counties. Local councils are independent, community-based organizations that identify needs and facilitate collaborative prevention programs for children and families in their community. Through these efforts, an estimated eight million Michigan children have been spared the fate of abuse and neglect.

"The generosity of donors have helped keep millions of Michigan children safe," said Richard Bearup, executive director of the Children's Trust Fund. "Continued support will help us continue to grow and serve more children in the next 25 years."