Events planned for National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Posted 4/9/14

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and several events have been planned in conjunction.

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Events planned for National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Posted

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and several events have been planned in conjunction.

The Wood County Child Welfare Board, the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, CASA for Kids of East Texas, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Wood County District Attorney’s Office, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the police de- partments of Alba, Hawkins, Mineola, Quitman and Winnsboro encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Wood County a better place for children and families.

“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Quitman Police Chief Kelly Cole.

“No one organization can succeed in reducing the number of abused children on its own. It takes all of us working together – setting aside differences in pursuit of a common goal – healthy, happy children. Everyone can show their support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month by proudly wearing the color blue during the month of April.”

A Zumbathon Fundraiser is planned for April 12, beginning at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Quitman Karate Studio. The event is a joint fundraiser for the Wood County Child Welfare Board and Wood County Crime Stoppers and will feature Zumba Instructor Je’Nae Lacey and Heather Marquez as well as DjCP from Inkredible Sounds. More information about this event can be found on Facebook or by calling Janae Holland at 903-763-2201.

On April 15, all of the county’s organizations will come together at a special Candle Lighting Ceremony to raise the community’s awareness of the problem of child abuse that is ever present among us. The ceremony, which is slated to kickoff at 6:00 p.m. at Governor Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman, will feature entertainment that’s sure to be a hit for all ages.

Among those scheduled to perform are an eight-year-old fiddling sensation and an 11-year-old country singer who just signed her first record deal. Also on tap will be a food vendor and multiple area agencies that are sure to have freebies to hand out! FCCLA students from Alba-Golden High School will also be set up and prepared to (temporarily) tattoo the youngsters. For more information about this event, contact Chief Kelly Cole at 903-763-4410 or Janae Holland at 903-763-2201.