"For Children" magnets
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 11, 2004 2:01 PM
Soon, blue ribbons will be popping up on cars all over Wayne County. They are being sold by the Wayne County For Children Council as part of a campaign to stop child abuse and neglect.
The magnets are dark blue with the phrase "Protect our children" on them in white letters. The council is hoping to sell 1,000 of the blue ribbon magnets starting Monday through April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
They cost $5 each and are available from any For Children Council member and at WAGES, Wayne County Partnership for Children, Boys and Girls Clubs of Wayne County, Eastern Carolina Athletic Park, Cooperative Extension Service, Guardian Ad Litem office, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Family Support Center, Goldsboro Exchange Club members and Goldsboro Family YMCA.
Proceeds go to the Wayne County For Children Council to support its ongoing prevention activities.
Those purchasing a blue ribbon magnet will also have the opportunity to register for a basketball signed by Michael Jordan.
Charisse Johnson, council member, said the purpose of the blue magnets is to emphasize the importance of protecting Wayne County's children.
"In lieu of recent acts against children locally and in other states, the Wayne County For Children Council wants all residents to join in a message that we will protect our children," she said.
"The implied agreement for each blue ribbon holder is to do what is necessary to protect children."
Mrs. Johnson said there are many ways in which everyone as concerned friends, neighbors, relatives, volunteers, doctors, lawmakers and civil servants can help protect children.
One of these is by knowing the warning signs of abuse and neglect and reporting them to the Wayne County Department of Social Services when they have concerns.
Another way of helping is by being a nurturing and involved parent. "Know your child's whereabouts," Mrs. Johnson stressed.
She suggested also taking part in prevention efforts and helping design programs around healthy families, positive parenting and increased parental involvement.