National Child Abuse Prevention Month was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in April, 1983. Since then, communities across the United States have held activities to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect throughout the month. National Child Abuse Prevention
National Child Abuse Prevention Month was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in April, 1983. Since then, communities across the United States have held activities to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect throughout the month.
In Hilo, the East Hawaii Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect takes this opportunity “to remind our community that we each can play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families,” said spokeswoman Terri Lum.
The coalition will sponsor its annual community fair — Celebrate Your Family — from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Hilo Hongwanji Sangha Hall next to Starbucks in downtown Hilo.
Admission is free, and there will be lots of fun activities for parents and children sponsored by community agencies and groups. Along with games and crafts, families will be able to obtain free keiki identification cards and vision screening.
There will also be information on what anyone could do to help strengthen families and keep children safe.
“Share your own struggles with raising children. It is easier to handle and laugh about your own challenges with someone who has been there before,” said Lum.
“If you see a parent mistreating a child in public, start a conversation with the adult to divert attention away from the child and give the parent time for their anger to subside,” she said.
For more information on the fair, or the coalition, please call 965-5550.
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