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| Residents Gather to Rally Against Child Abuse |
Hundreds of school children, their parents and families, as well as local groups, came together in Galesburg to take a stand against child abuse. The groups began the week today known as the Week of the Young Child, in order to call attention to child abuse prevention and awareness in the area.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Galesburg Mayor Gary Smith said this is an important event he gets to attend because he is the father of a small child at home. Smith tells WGIL the parents in the area have a responsibility not only to their own kids but to others to make the community a better place.
Smith says "The show of support we have, not just from the organizers, but all the different community services that are available as you see with the children. It shows us we need to accept personal responsibility, not just for our own young children, as I have a small child at home, but look out for the of children troughout the community."
The groups began the morning with a parade around the courthouse featuring the Galesburg Fire Department and the Galesburg High School Marching Streaks. The group marched to the gazebo in Standish Park on the courthouse grounds and heard from Smith and a musical performance before taking time to let kids draw on the sidewalks.
After the proclamation from Smith declaring this week as the Week of the Young Child in Galesburg, members of the community held hands and made a circle of people around the courthouse. Mayor Smith said people's focus in life should be providing for the safety of children around you, and says there is nothing better you can do an individual or parent.
(WGIL News Story and Photos by Dominic Fortini) |
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| 04 20 09 by Newsroom |
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