300 ATTEND SATURDAY FUN & LEARNING DAY - Easter Theme

(04/01/2010)
By Jean Simers

Over 300 people attended the fourth Saturday Fun and Learning Day sponsored by Heads Up and GEAR UP March 27 at Calhoun Middle High School.

Easter was the theme of the day with a visit from the Easter Bunny. All the children had their picture taken with the furry guy.

Chip Westfall reads proclamation ...
... Crystal Kendall speaks to parents

County commissioner, Scottie "Chip" Westfall read a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention month. Child Protective Services Supervisor, Crystal Kendall, spoke to the parents about recognizing and preventing child abuse. Mrs. Kendall also gave the parents ways to build their children's self-esteem including "100 Ways To Praise A Child" and remembering a hug is worth 1,000 words.

Children receive pinwheels signifying
April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

Each child also received a pinwheel to signify April as Child Abuse Prevention month. Pinwheels for Prevention is a nationwide public awareness campaign. Pinwheels for Prevention was created by Prevent Child Abuse America. It goes beyond making people aware of the issue of child abuse and neglect. It engages people to act to prevent it from ever happening in the first place with the motto "it's your turn to make a difference."

While the parents were receiving their training, the children were hunting Easter eggs. Once the parents and children were reunited there were informational booths set up including Calhoun Family Resource Network, Minnie Hamilton Health System, Calhoun County Library, Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), and dental health. Each child received an Easter basket to store their Easter eggs and the treats from each of the booths.

Winning $25 gift certificates from the Pit Stop donated by the Heads Up program were Wanda Greathouse, Josh Hanshaw, Cindy Robinson and Donna Yoak.

Rebeccia Newlon and Brad Lacy won
Easter baskets donated by Spencer Walmart

All children had a picture
taken with the Easter Bunny