| APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH March 9, 2011 (Manassas, VA) April is National Child Abuse Prevention month and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Organization (CASA) of Greater Prince William that serves more than 400 abused, neglected and abandoned children in Prince William County, Manassas City and Manassas Park City has a full calendar of activities. CASA’s mission is to protect and serve children who are abused, neglected and abandoned. CASA is a 501 C-3 not for profit and is funded by grants and donations. It costs about $1,200 to provide an advocate to each child victim for one full year. During this month there are a number of activities throughout the county to draw attention to the children who are victims of child abuse in the community, who are at risk for maltreatment and to CASA’s work on behalf of children. Businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to sponsor a child during April for one year or a portion of a year through the “Shadow Children” sponsorship program. Shadow Children is used to describe not only the children whose abuse has been discovered but also those whose abuse is still hidden but will be found. Kicking off the Child Abuse Awareness Month is a “Giving with Style” spring fashion show on April 1st that is hosted by the WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit), a Catholic Women’s ministry. The event is being held at Sunset Crest Manor from 11:30 to 2:00 PM and will feature “W” the Worth Collection and Union of Angels Designer Clothing. A wine tasting and lunch provided by A La Carte Catering of Prince William is included in the ticket price. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased on the CASA website or by calling the CASA office. CASA’s 12th annual spring fundraiser, Retro Party, is on Saturday, April 30th from 7 to 11 PM at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas. This event draws more than 500 people dressed in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s attire. The event includes a costume contest and cake walk and this year, the “Ultimate Twisted Twister Game “with the twister game board covering the dance floor and room for 50 players. Meadows Farms Nurseries will have a “Garden of Hope” at five of their locations; Warrenton, Manassas, Woodbridge, Chantilly and Reston to help provide advocates to the abused children of our community. People can stop by to make their annual spring garden purchases and plant a little hope when they make a donation to CASA. Their personalized plant tag will be planted in the garden to “Help a Child Bloom”. The NOVA Therapy Minis is a non-profit organization that rescues abused and neglected miniature horses. The organization will be bringing the horses to four of the locations during the month for people to hug and have a picture taken. The schedule of the mini’s appearances will be posted on CASA’s website at www.casaofgpw.org. “ A 2007 audit by the US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector reported that children with a CASA receive more services than children without a CASA, are less likely to return to the system reabused, spend less time in foster care, are more likely to be adopted” said Sheri Winesett, a member of the CASA board of Trustees. “Why wouldn’t we want that for all the children who have been abused? We can only provide an advocate to every child who needs one with the help of the community. We encourage everyone to consider helping us help the children.” For more information on April, Child Abuse Awareness Month you can visit the National website located at http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/. For more information, to make donations, to become an advocate or to buy tickets go to the CASA website at www.casaofgpw.org or call the CASA office at 703-330-8145. Tax deductible donations can be made on the CASA website. ### |