Cherish children at annual vigil

Monday, April 23, 2007

April has been designated Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee has been busy planning and implementing prevention activities throughout the community.

A couple of activities are still scheduled for the month. The community is invited to attend the annual Candlelight Vigil from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Tuesday at Gobin United Methodist Church in Greencastle.

The April Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee envisions the vigil as a way of bringing Putnam County citizens together in honor of our community's children, especially those who have been abused or neglected.

Participants will have an opportunity to light a candle of hope in remembrance of victims of child abuse or neglect. The South Putnam Junior Choir directed by Connie Huber will perform at the event. Additionally, the Bessie Rector Award will be presented to a community professional who has made a significant contribution to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The Bessie Rector Award is presented by Family Support Services and the recipient is nominated by local Social Service Organizations and approved by the Board of Director's of Family Support Services.

Additionally, from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Family Support Services is sponsoring a free Internet Crimes Workshop for Parents at the Julian Center auditorium in room 147, located on the DePauw University campus. Facilitator Mike Widner from the Noblesville Police Department will provide valuable information that will help parents protect their children from internet predators. Learning objectives for this workshop will include current trends among youth's internet use, how sex offenders use the internet and groom their victims, and how to protect your children and yourself against cybercrime.

The April Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee comprised of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Mental Health America of Putnam County, Putnam County Department of Child Services and Putnam County Family Support Services would like to thank the following entities for helping spread awareness of child abuse and neglect during the month: City of Greencastle, Putnam County Library, Putnam County Commis-sioners, Gobin United Methodist Church, participating community restaurants, Dollar General, Jerry's Graphix, Greencastle Fire Department, Reelsville Fire Department, Greencastle Wal-Mart and Greencastle Subway.

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