Saturday, March 23, 2002
Agency Named for Child Advocate

By Cathleen F. Crowley
Eagle-Tribune Writer

LAWRENCE -- Michael B. Christensen dedicated much of his free time to preventing the abuse of children, and a local agency adopted his name to thank him yesterday.

The Family Support Center, 350 Essex St., renamed itself the Michael B. Christensen Family Support Center. The center matches volunteers with parents whose children are at risk of neglect and abuse. The volunteers teach parents how to resolve conflicts nonviolently, and they teach parenting skills.

Christensen organized the annual fund-raiser for the center before he died in October. Christensen, who was only 40 years old, had an undetected heart condition.

"He put his heart and soul into everything he took on. He died much too young," said Lorraine G. Malignaggi, director of the center.

Christensen was vice president of the AAA Club of the Merrimack Valley. He also was past president of the Exchange Club and co-chairman of the board of directors of the Blue Ribbon Organization for Child Abuse.

"He felt that children should be happy, they should be carefree and they should be able to live without any problems," said Lana L. Schofield, vice president of the Exchange Club.

Yesterday, the support center launched its annual fund-raising campaign. Supporters and businesses will sell blue ribbons for the center.

A sports memorabilia auction will take place at the Red Tavern in Methuen on April 23, and a comedy night at the Grill 93 in Andover on April 25 will benefit the center. Organizers hope to raise $40,000. Contact the Family Support Center for information on events.

Pictured from left: Philip F. Laverriere, Sr. Executive Director GLCAC, Inc., Mr & Mrs. Donald Christensen, Richard Blain Lawrence Exchange Club President, Michael J. Sullivan Lawrence Mayor