Lone Star CASA to hold balloon releases in Rockwall, Kaufman counties

(ROCKWALL, TX — March 29, 2016) To raise awareness of children facing abuse and neglect Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit organization that trains community volunteers to speak for the best interest of abused and neglected children of Rockwall and Kaufman Counties, will host a balloon release in Kaufman County on Thursday, April 7, at noon at the Kaufman County Courthouse on the Square (100 W Mulberry St). A balloon release for Rockwall County will be held on Thursday, April 14, at the Historic County Courthouse (101 E Rusk St) at 6:30 p.m. These events support national efforts to fight child abuse throughout the month of April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Last year a million children in the United States lived in homes filled with abuse and neglect — and these are just the children who have been placed under the court’s jurisdiction. CASA volunteers work to bring hope into the lives of children who need hope the most. Last year, they advocated for 159 children in Kaufman and Rockwall counties. However, 25 children entered the system without a CASA, meaning support is needed to assist those children.

For additional information about events and Child Abuse Prevention Month, or how to become a CASA volunteer, contact Lone Star CASA at 972-772-5858 or vickie@lonestarcasa.org or visit its website at lonestarcasa.org.

ROCKWALL BALLOON RELEASE PROGRAM

Invocation

David Sheppard

Executive Pastor, Ridgeview Church

Welcome

Lucille Bell

Executive Director, Lone Star CASA

Proclamation

Judge David Sweet

Remarks by Judge Brett Hall

Recognizing Board Members

Mike Holley

Board President, Lone Star CASA

Honoring our CASA Volunteers

Vickie Nettleton

Program Director, Lone Star CASA

Making A Difference

Phyllis Hulse, Volunteer, Lone Star CASA

Moment of Silence

Lighthouse Singers -Amy Parks

Jan Stonestreet, Director

Balloon Release

Closing

Story and photo submitted by Vickie Nettleton, Lone Star CASA program director/trainer.

STORY OF THE BLUE RIBBON

The Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Campaign had its early beginnings following the death of a very young child. In spring 1989, Bonnie Finney, a Virginia grandmother received the devastating news that her beloved grandson had died of injuries inflicted by his parents. In an expression of her grief and outrage, this grandmother did something that has given us a symbol, around which we rally for the cause of child abuse prevention.

She tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van as a way to remember “the bruised and battered body of her grandson” and to alert her community to the tragedy of child abuse. In Bonnie’s own words: The blue ribbon serves as a constant reminder to fight for protection of our children. Please wear a blue ribbon. Put one on your car. Give one to your friends. Tell them what it means. You may save a child’s life! Her simple idea, to wear or display a blue ribbon to show support for her child abuse prevention was picked up by grassroots organizations across the county.

The act of one grandmother thousands of miles away leads us to this day. Just think what could happen if each one of us helped to spread the word to a few of the people that we come in contact with each day. The groundswell of support that would follow just might be enough to move us towards the day when our homes and communities are completely safe.

Reprinted from Prevent Child Abuse Texas

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