At least 40 VIPs come together for ‘40 for 40’ campaign to mark Prevent Child Abuse America’s 40th anniversary with activities in April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month and throughout the year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2012 [Chicago, IL] – Basketball stars Ronny Turiaf, Jeremy Lin, Baron Davis, Maurice Evans and Caron Butler, along with the Chris Paul and (Dwyane) Wade’s World Foundations, are headlining a list of at least 40 professional athletes and VIPs committing to help Prevent Child Abuse America raise awareness and funds in its 40th anniversary year through a special “40 for 40” campaign. The players are coming together in a unifying effort to demonstrate that we all play a role in helping to raise happy, healthy children nationwide.
The “40 for 40” campaign will raise funds to support healthy child development and child abuse prevention efforts nationwide, and will feature activities throughout the year. The first is a two-week social media-based fundraising push from April 4-18 in which the 40 VIPs will promote Prevent Child Abuse America and invite their followers on Twitter and Facebook to make financial contributions to Prevent Child Abuse America here. To follow along, visit @PCAAmerica or #40for40 on Twitter.
"As athletes, we have an obligation to keep sports a place where kids can thrive,” said Ronny Turiaf of the Miami Heat. “While most may have felt compelled to help with the recent current events in our society, I have always felt the importance of doing all I can through my time, money and resources. These issues have always been important to me, and with the help of Prevent Child Abuse America, I am able to provide resources to help with programs that will focus on preventing sexual abuse of children and bullying. I encourage you to do the same."
Also in April, several VIPs will conduct local community events at which they will directly interact with families and children, including Maurice Evans of the Washington Wizards participating in a pre-game conversation on bullying with children at the Wizards game on April 4th. Additional activities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami are being planned at this time.
“Whether a professional athlete, a leader in business, a teacher or a student, we all play a role in ensuring healthy child development and child abuse and neglect prevention,” said James M. Hmurovich, Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO. “For these well-known individuals to take time out of their busy lives to make commitments like these speaks to the depth of their character and commitment to our nation’s future. We can all learn from their example; we cannot thank them enough.”
The “40 for 40” campaign will include additional community events in May and June and an online auction of high-end sports memorabilia and unique experiences to raise additional funds in June. The effort is a nod to Prevent Child Abuse America’s 40-year history of raising the public’s awareness that child abuse and neglect is a serious issue. Having raised the awareness level from 10 to 90%, Prevent Child Abuse America’s current efforts are intended to convert that awareness into action. The “40 for 40” campaign is a prime and leading example of this emphasis.
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About Prevent Child Abuse America
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 49 states and over 400 Healthy Families America, home visitation sites in 37 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites, preventchildabuse.org and healthyfamiliesamerica.org.
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