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Ribbons in trees serve as reminder, protect children

  • Published
  • By Joyce Atlee
  • Family Advocacy Outreach Manager
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Hundreds of blue ribbons will be sprouting on trees around Tinker Air Force Base during April's Child Abuse Prevention Month. The blue ribbon is the international sign for child abuse prevention and serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe.

This year, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Office of Child Abuse Prevention is encouraging all Oklahoma communities to build a blue ribbon tree. Localities are urged to determine what their trees' blue ribbons will signify.

The Tinker Family Advocacy Program has chosen to follow a positive approach, to emphasize that children are important people, who deserve to be recognized and protected every day. In fact, Family Advocacy has selected the theme "Celebrate Children! Teach them ... Guide them ... Keep them safe ..." to observe this year's Child Abuse Prevention Month.

At Tinker, the Child Development Centers, Youth Center and Family Child Care Office plan to display a blue ribbon for each child served in their programs. Another tree outside the 72nd Medical Group is slated to wear a blue ribbon for each baby born to a Tinker-area active duty family during 2008. A small tree inside the Medical Group will sport ribbons standing for each child served by the New Parent Support Program in 2008.

In addition, the Family Advocacy Program has scheduled opportunities for parents and others to pick up information related to parenting, child abuse and related issues at manned information booths.

Booths will be set up from 10 a.m. to noon April 15 at the Tinker Base Exchange, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. April 7 at Child Development Center East, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. April 22 at Child Development Center West and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. April 30 at the Tinker Commissary.

A table within the 72nd Medical Group will also offer information throughout the month. For more information, call Family Advocacy at 734-4390. See related stories on page 3a.