Go Blue Activities, April is Child Abuse Awareness month
Michael Boyink/Herald Local schoolchildren pose on the Ava Square, along with Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase, Douglas County Representative Karla Eslinger, exiting Ava mayor David Norman, incoming Ava mayor Burrely Loftin, representatives from CHART, Douglas County Healthcare, the Ava Chamber of Commerce, CHART, and others.
Michael Boyink/Herald
Mayor-elect Burrely Loftin helps with the planting of pinwheels on the Ava Square on Friday, April 5th. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the local Go Blue organization planned the activity for local schoolchildren.
In recognition of April is Child Abuse Awareness month, the local Go Blue Team is partnering with area agencies to draw attention to this problem and bring awareness to residents, in hopes of preventing future need.
Last week, on Friday, April 5, kindergarten students from Ava Elementary planted a Pinwheel Garden on the Ava square. The pinwheel garden will remain at the location until Wednesday, April 17. Organizers appreciate all those who came out to support the event.
In conjunction, the Go Blue group has additional activities planned to help shine the light on this initiative. They are the following:
Michael Boyink/Herald
Norma Stillings of CHART hands out pinwheels to a local student.
On Tuesday, April 16, Children’s Division will conduct activities at Skyline School for Child Abuse Awareness. In addition, the Skyline PTO is sponsoring a door contest for students up to third grade.
Go Blue Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, this year, and everyone is urged to participate and wear blue to church in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Go Blue organizers are not sponsoring a store decorating contest this year but instead are encouraging businesses interested in participating to dress-up business windows in blue.
Michael Boyink/Herald
Blue pinwheels planted on the Ava Square as part of Go Blue’s efforts to prevent child abuse.
Businesses or individuals interested in donating may make their check payable to CHART, and write “Go Blue” in the memo line.
Following the Go Blue Sunday awareness campaign, Go Blue organizers will start planning fundraising efforts for next year. For more information, please contact Shirley Emerson at Douglas County Health Department (417) 683-4174.
