Child victims of abuse to be honored Tuesday in Johnson Park, Marble Falls
Contributed/Granite Shoals Police Department
Granite Shoals city employees observe Go Blue Day Friday, April 8. Showing support Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month from the deck of city hall are, from left, Lisa Crane, Elaine Simpson, Wendy Gholson, Emily Flores, and Amber Campbell. The Granite Shoals Police Department joined them and others across the Highland Lakes April 8. More events are coming up Tuesday, April 25, and Sunday, April 30.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Highland Lakes residents are being called upon to take part is special Go Blue observances Monday, April 24, and Sunday, April 30.
A ceremony to honor all child victims of abuse and neglect will be held from 5:30-6 p.m. April 24 at the amphitheater of Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J, in Marble Falls.
The annual bell ringing event is sponsored by Court Appointed Advocates (CASA) for the Highland Lakes Area and Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary.
Other groups dedicated to the protection of children, the Burnet County Child Welfare Board (BCCWB), the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center (HCCA), and Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers will be on hand also for the signing of a proclamation at the Burnet County Commissioners Court Tuesday, April 11, and other similar city events throughout the month.
The are calling on everyone to observe Blue Sunday, April 30, by wearing the color blue in support of the cause.
“We are encouraging area churches to include something about child abuse awareness and prevention in their bulletins,” said Caroline Ragsdill, president of BCCWB.
“The purpose of setting aside the month and special days is to bring awareness to people that, yes, it does exist, and right here where you live,” Ragsdill explained. “If you suspect abuse or neglect, you have a duty by law to report it. That can be done anonymously by calling 800-252-5400.”
The BCCWB is appointed by the commissioners court and receives some financial support from them.
“But, work also depends greatly on volunteers and donations to provide for the needs of children,” said Ragsdill. “When children are removed from their families by CPS, they often come into care with just the clothes on their backs,” said Ragsdill. “We provide a blue duffle bag with clothing, blankets, stuffed animals, a book, a toy and toiletries. We provide birthday and Christmas gifts and help with graduation expenses and college of trade school scholarships.”
“We help with any special request from a CPS caseworker,” Ragsdill added. “Sometimes, if a child remains at home, that includes a bed for a child who would be sleeping on the floor or fire extinguishers and smoke alarms to bring homes to compliance with CPS standers.
HCCA works with identification of abuse victims and counseling for them. Like BCCWB, CASA fills gaps as children go into foster care, training volunteers to shepherd victims through the legal system.
“The main goal of all the organizations is is protection of our most vulnerable children and keeping their lives as 'normal' as possible,” said Ragsdill.
Go Blue Day and Blue Sunday have grown out of a 1989 blue ribbon campaign launched by a
Virginia grandmother in tribute to her grandson, who died at the age of three at the hands of his mother's abusive boyfriend. Blue represents the bruises the boy suffered. Since then, concerned citizens all over the country have worn the color as a symbol of the need to be aware and prevent child abuse and neglect.
