Heart of the Matter & Tin Man Awards held at the Wilmington Convention Center

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — An award ceremony and event recognizing efforts to combat child abuse in downtown Wilmington.

At the Wilmington Convention Center, the Carousel Child Advocacy Center held it’s Heart of the Matter and Tin Man Award Luncheon. More than 600 people attended the event to help recognize the fight against child abuse. The winners of three Tin Man awards were announced, as well as some words from keynote speaker Margaret Hoelzer. Hoelzer is a 3-time Olympic medalist and spoke on her journey of overcoming sexual abuse as a child. Hoelzer said while survivors may feel like there is no hope, anything is possible.

“I mean, I think it’s one of those things that people feel so alone when they’re going through something like this and, knowing that there is other people out there; first and foremost is really important. But also, hopefully seeing that going to the Olympics, seeing that you can be successful and you can overcome this,” Hoelzer said.

The Carousel Child Advocacy Center is southeastern North Carolina’s only nationally accredited child advocacy center and has served more than 6,500 children in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender County.