The 43rd Annual Circles of Hope Telethon benefiting the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse will return Sunday, August 16, 2026, bringing communities together to support children and families served by Centers across West Tennessee.
This year’s theme, Healing Blooms Here, was inspired by a true story from Chester County’s Center.
Inside a therapy room in Chester County, sits a table with colorful flowers hand-painted by Center Director Kirbi Fahs. During one therapy session, a child who had struggled to talk began quietly tracing the painted flowers with their fingers. In that simple moment, they found comfort and shared parts of their story they had never shared before.
That quiet breakthrough became the inspiration for this year’s message: healing can begin in unexpected places, with patience, compassion and people who create safe spaces for children to be heard.
The annual telethon raises critical funds that allow the Carl Perkins Centers to continue providing child advocacy, prevention education, family support and trauma-informed services throughout West Tennessee.
Viewers are invited to watch the 43rd Annual Circles of Hope Telethon on WBBJ ABC 7 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, or support the mission by donating online at www.Carl PerkinsCenter.org.
