Stand up against child abuse

April is recognized national as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and there will be many things to bring awareness to the public on the sad statistics of child abuse and neglect throughout the nation and here in our own state.

It brings an urgent message to each of us to make an effort to help our children survive. It takes one moment to make a call, to volunteer, become a CASA advocate for a child, become a mentor, to donate a coat or pair of shoes to a local school site or shelter.

It begins at home when we teach our own children instead of teasing a child they should offer a hand, give a smile.

The main theme of this year's child-abuse prevention campaign in Nevada is called Pinwheels for Prevention, which is patterned after a national campaign to increase awareness about child abuse and neglect in communities across the country. More than 15,000 pinwheels representing each child-abuse report filed in Nevada during 2006 will be planted in front of courthouses, government offices, playgrounds, libraries and parks.

Carson City will be taking part in the program, as will Reno, Las Vegas, Lovelock, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca, Pahrump, Elko, Mesquite, Fallon, Fernley and Caliente.

Come participate in the local Pinwheel Day. I will be there, so should everyone else who wants to show children we really do care.

Pinwheel Day

WHAT: 377 pinwheels will be "planted" on the lawn at the legislature in Carson City

WHERE: Legislative lawn

WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday

CONTACT: Tracy White, Advocates to End Domestic Violence, 883-7654

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Carson City Kiwanis is looking for assistance to help local children have a happy Easter Egg Hunt.

Jim Hamtak gave me a call and said he can use some more support to pull out the stops on this local tradition. It will consist of the two annual Easter Egg Hunts - the special-needs Easter Egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. and the regular hunt begins at 1 p.m.

Carson City Kiwanis could use some more donations, such as bicycles, coloring books, or a fuzzy bunny rabbit ... any item to make a child smile. So if you can help, call Jim or can send a monetary donation to help purchase prizes for the specially marked eggs. It would be greatly appreciated by all our local children.

Easter Egg Hunt

WHAT: Carson City Kiwanis International's Easter Egg Hunt

WHEN: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Governor's Field

COST: Nothing, thanks to wonderful donations from businesses and public

CONTACT: Jim Hamtak at 883-3113, or send tax deductible donations to Kiwanis P.O. Box 922, Carson City, NV 89702

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With April also comes one my favorite things this town has always helped Carson High School with, "The Fairy Godmother's Prom Program."

So many of you wonderful women and young ladies have donated your dresses to girls who want to attend but can't afford to purchase a dress.

Well, I received a call from Carson High School counselor Cindy Watty saying there are more girls this year in the same situation.

I advertise this every year, and every year, you come through. Last year the community dropped more than 30 dresses at CHS. Each of those dresses became a beautiful memory for some girl who might not have been able to go to her prom otherwise.

If you have prom dresses, bridesmaid's dresses, formals that you do not want, drop them off. If anyone can donate a dinner for two, flowers for the couples, nails or hair appointments for the young ladies, or a gift certificate to purchase a pair of shoes or earrings and nylons, it would also be very much appreciated. Some just need a dress, others need the whole package - whatever you can do to help will be forever remembered.

Fairy Godmother's Prom Program

WHAT: Carson High School's Fairy Godmother's Prom Program

WHERE: Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman Road

WHEN: Now until prom, which is April 28 at Silver Oaks Golf Course

CONTACT: Cindy Watty in the counselors office at Carson High School, 283-1951

Next Week: Wild Horse Productions is calling all rising stars ages 5-16! They have some fun summer things coming, too!

• To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.