March for Children 2011 — April 1, 2011
9:30 am – 12:00 pm

7th Annual Kick Off for Child Abuse Prevention month

Rally and press conference to be held at University Physicians Hospital (UPH), followed by the march to the Pima County Juvenile Court. “The March for Children was originally conceived as an event to bring light to the issue of child abuse and to recognize those on the front lines fighting to prevent it.”

Event begins at the UPH at 9:30 am located at 2800 E Ajo Way, Tucson. The march leaves the hospital grounds at 10:30 am headed to the Pima County Juvenile Court located at 2225 E Ajo Way, Tucson.

An event to help create a prosperous, innovative, and healthy county that is invested in child development, in child abuse prevention, and in providing resources that increase protective factors allowing parents to raise happy, healthy children.

Sponsored by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Pima County Juvenile Court, and Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA).

Refreshments, speakers, information booths and awards at juvenile court.

For more information, please visit the March for Children website at www.marchforchildren.webs.com. Email contact: marchforchildren2011@pcjcc.pima.gov.

Having served as a CASA and on the Foster Care Review Board in the past, I well know the importance of this 7th Annual March and the work done at all these agencies. Please attend & support their efforts to eliminate child abuse.

Contact at PCJC:
Joellen Brown
Dependency Data Specialist
Pima County Juvenile Court
520/243-2243, joellen.brown@pcjcc.pima.gov

All I had to do to blog today was copy (in its entirely) the press release from the statewide Arizona Children’s Association.

“Arizona’s Children Association invites you to bring your organization, office or family together to celebrate the holidays with a “Gift of Hope” for children and families in your community who need your help. Our ‘needs’ list is long and includes the wishes of children from birth to 18 years, and requests from their parents for groceries and grocery gift certificates.

The families we work with do not receive any other help during the holiday season. Individuals, groups and families are needed to participate and bring hope to the vulnerable children and families we serve.

There are many ways to participate:

~ Support an individual child or entire family. Purchase groceries and/or grant the gift wishes of the children in one or more families.

~ Put up a giving tree in your office or organization. Arizona’s Children will provide ornaments with the wishes of children on them and your employees/ members may choose an individual from the tree.

~ Conduct a toy drive. Collect new toys and items for children and we’ll pick them up and distribute them to the children and families we serve. Toys are needed for children of all ages.

To give a “Gift of Hope” this holiday season, contact Miguel Quezada at 520.622.7611 ext.1311, email mquezada@arizonaschildren.org or visit www.arizonaschildren.org/giftsofhope.htm.

Arizona’s Children Association was originally founded in 1912, as Arizona Children’s Home Association, to care for homeless, neglected and dependent children. For more than 97 years the agency has stayed true to its mission of Protecting Children and Preserving Families, serving more than 45,000 children and their families in all 15 counties in the state each year. Please visit the Arizona’s Children website at www.arizonaschildren.org.”

Note: I know these gifts (groceries, toys, wishes) are needed and much appreciated, having served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) at Pima County Juvenile Court for abused/neglected children, and also on the state Foster Care Review Board.

Please give the gift of hope.