March/April 2001Vol. 2, No. 2April 4 Is National Day of Hope

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Childhelp USA is sponsoring the third annual National Day of Hope, held each year on the first Wednesday of April. This year it falls on April 4.

The U.S. Congress showed its support of Childhelp USA's National Day of Hope by introducing a Concurrent Resolution (S. CON. RES. 14) on February 14, 2001 (available through Thomas, a service of the Library of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov). The resolution calls for:

• All Americans to keep victimized children in their thoughts and prayers;
• All Americans to seek to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and give these children hope for the future;
• The faith community, non-profit organizations, and volunteers across America to recommit themselves and mobilize their resources to assist abused and neglected children.

The activities planned for April 4 vary by State and community. Many observances incorporate three-wick candles to symbolize the three children who die each day from abuse and the millions more who suffer. For example:

• Many national and State legislators will light three-wick candles at the opening of legislative sessions.
• Religious leaders will light three-wick candles during services the weekend prior to the National Day of Hope and lead their congregations in prayer for abused and neglected children.
• TV stations in selected U.S. cities will display a National Day of Hope candle on their news anchors' desks and air stories on the subject of child abuse.
• Participating restaurants across the country will display three-wick candles and tent cards on designated tables on April 4. Find the State-by-State list of participating restaurants at: http://www.childhelpusa.org/child/ndoh_restaurants.htm. (Editor's note: this link is no longer active.)

Harley-Davidson motorcycle clubs throughout the U.S. are supporting the National Day of Hope by participating in the "Cycle of Hope." This cross-country motorcycle ride focusing national attention on the tragedy of child abuse will begin on March 24 in Cabazon, California (near Palm Springs), and end on April 4 in Washington, DC. For the scheduled route and events, visit: http://www.childhelpusa.org/child/harley_event.htm. (Editor's note: this link is no longer active.)

Childhelp USA is one of the oldest and largest national non-profits dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. It has chapters across the country staffed by volunteers and operates the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD).

For more information about how to get involved in Childhelp USA's National Day of Hope, visit the Childhelp USA website at: http://www.childhelpusa.org/child/Day_of_Hope.htm. (Editor's note: this link is no longer active.) For information on participating as a restaurant or motorcycle rider in the National Day of Hope activities described above, contact Sylvia Hopkins at Childhelp USA's national headquarters: 480-922-8212 or svhopkins@aol.com.