FREEPORT — Champions for Children, the flagship event hosted by the Maine Children’s Alliance each year, will honor the 17th annual Giraffe Award winners for “sticking their necks out for kids.”

Champions for Children will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Keynote speaker will be Maine Senate President Kevin Raye. Following his introduction, Giraffe Awards will be given to outstanding members of the community in these categories: President’s Award, Individual Award, Advocate Award, Group/Organization Award and Youth Award.

Also part of the program will be recognition of two outgoing leaders of MCA’s board, Jack Rosser and Jane Gilbert, for their many years of service.

This year’s Champions for Children places a fresh emphasis on youth; young people will help with the program by serving as emcee, musical entertainment and technical support.

Since 1995, MCA has recognized those who do extraordinary work on behalf of children in communities all over Maine. MCA has adopted the giraffe as its symbol to represent the importance of those who “stick their necks out” to improve the well-being of kids in Maine.

For more information, visit MCA’s Web site, www.mekids.org.