Feel the love at ‘Celebrate Your Family’ fair

The 11th annual “Celebrate Your Family” Community Fair returns from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 18 at the Hilo Hongwanji Sangha Hall, next to Starbucks on Kilauea Avenue.

The fair is free and offers lots of fun activities designed to promote positive parent-child relationships and increase knowledge of community resources to families.

The Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office again will be coordinating Keiki ID cards and there will prizes for children who complete activities.

“This is our major event in commemoration of Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Sarah Figueroa, community development specialist for Neighborhood Place of Puna, one of the sponsoring agencies. “By providing parents with fun, inexpensive ways to spend time with their children, we hope to strengthen family relationships.

“The community agencies will have information about their services as every parent faces challenges at some time, and we want them to know that they are not alone. April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children.”

Activity booths will be offered by a number of community agencies including Child and Family Services, PIDF-Hui Ho’omalu, DHS-Child Welfare Services and the YWCA of Hawai’i Island. The Akaka Falls Lions Club will be offering free keiki vision screening.

The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii will be announcing the winners of its keiki poster contest, “How I Have Fun With My Family,” as well as have an activity table.

For more information about the Celebrate Your Family fair or to help promote healthy children and families, contact the East Hawaii Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect at 965-5550.