Let Your (blue) Light Shine Community asked to help prevent child abuse

Let Your (blue) Light Shine Community asked to help prevent child abuse Virginia S. Tue, 04/09/2024 - 11:52 Image

• Area first responders gather to hear the county’s Child Abuse Prevention proclamation and honor the 43 foster children in DeWitt County. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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The sirens of almost a dozen first responder vehicles blared down Broadway Street on April 1, and it was no joke.

Area law enforcement and emergency vehicles “sounded off” in a parade in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Fami- lies and businesses are asked to raise awareness throughout the month by focusing on childcare issues and shining a blue light at their entry.

R e p re s e n t at ive s from the Department of Public Services, Cuero fire, EMS and police gathered after the parade for the reading of the county proclamation in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Judge Daryl Fowler read the proclamation, which encouraged families and community groups to work together on prevention and indicated there were 218 cases of child abuse reported in DeWitt County in 2023.

Each of those cases is represented by a blue pinwheel along the fence of the old John C. French Elementary School.

Child welfare workers who serve the county’s vulnerable children also honored the 43 foster children in DeWitt County by placing a cutout of a boy or girl between the pinwheels.

Katie Klores, president of DeWitt County Child Welfare Service, urged area families and businesses to show their support by shining blue lights in their entryways throughout the month.

Since it was the day after Easter and a school holiday, many children also attended the ceremony. Also, on the last Sunday of the month, churches are asked to participate in “Blue Sunday.” Throughout April the Green Cow Creamery will have a “blue” flavor, and $1 from each scoop will be donated to the Friends of De-Witt County Children.

Other childcare groups participating included Belong, CASA and Cuero’s Pilot Club.

Dawn Draper with the Pilot Club said they attended in support of victims of traumatic brain injury, of which there are 1,300 children a year, nationwide, who suffer the injury due to abuse.

Across the state, communities sponsor “sound offs” and work each April to bring awareness to and preventing child abuse.

For more information on child abuse prevention, see the Friends of DeWitt County Children website dewittkids. org.