HOW DID I GET PEOPLE OTHERS INVOLVED?
As President of my local high school's 4-H club, I have been able to use my program time to highlight ways that high school students can get involved with preventing child abuse. I have had them help me make blankets for the local Family Partners office and pack pacifier information packs for new moms. I also get 4-Hers involved at county council meetings which take place monthly. Recently, I had them make over 200 pinwheels for my pinwheel fundraiser. I also have my own project club that we call Clover Buddies. I have worked with these young girls on learning about keeping babies safe and organizations like Family Partners that help at-risk parents. The young girls learned about this and then helped lead my Pinwheels Fundraising effort where we raised over $500 by selling pinwheels at a local elementary school.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Contact your local Prevent Child Abuse office; First Steps, Healthy Families office or DFACS. They all need volunteers. You don't have to do huge projects like some of mine were-just ask how to help and they will all be able to give you some ideas.
Here's some simple suggestions:
*Help a child who has already been abused by helping your local foster parents association. I donated toys and made Easter baskets for all the children in care in my county in 2010. But make just one or buy some ready made and take them to DFACS for those kids who get taken into care at the last moment.
*Help your local First Steps, Healthy Families, or Parents as teachers by doing a book drive or donating even just one book. Board books are great because they are not easily torn. You can get these at dollar stores often for just one dollar.
*Ask if you can help with your local First Steps, Healthy Families office by making copies or folding brochures. I'm sure they can come up with a task that's just right for you.
Let me know what you do and I'll post it here:
