Published: April 02, 2008 10:58 am

By Bob Wright-Editor

A sad phenomenon nationally is child abuse.

Mexia and the area is taking dead aim on this scourge with its GO BLUE DAY this Wednesday. “We hope Mexiaites and citizens from the entire area will wear blue to show support for child abuse prevention,” emphasizes Lynda Mitchell, President of the Limestone County Child Welfare Board. “By wearing blue, we’ll be joining the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards and county child protective/child welfare boards across the state in showing support for this prevention.”

Mitchell, who also announces the TIPS FOR TOTS project in Limestone County, reminds that tips to those who serve your food in several establishments, will turn the tips over to the county Child Welfare Board in this effort. This phase of the child-abuse effort will be this coming Friday night at several participating restaurants. This will include tips from evening and lunch meals of Friday, April 4, and on Saturday, April 5.

The Friday evening participants include the Farmhouse Restaurant in Mexia, and Kosse Korral in Kosse. Participating for Friday lunch will be Coffee Cabaret in Mexia. Kirby’s Barbecue on South Highway 14 near the Limestone County Airport, will be a Saturday participant for lunch. Mitchell believes there will be other participants to announce.

There is also a poster contest to provide more awareness of the child-abuse scourge. This contest begins today and lasts through April 15. It’s open to all fourth and fifth grade students in Mexia, Groesbeck and Coolidge. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Prizes have been announced for the winners - first place, $50 Savings Bond; second place, $25 Savings Bond, and third place, a $10 gift certificate from McDonald’s.

The tips will go to the Limestone County Welfare Board to help foster children in their monetary needs - needs which the state does not provide, and which the county cannot provide. This board is comprised of Lynda Mitchell, Gordon Lee, Stephana High, Cynthia Bever, Patricia Mauldin, Ginger Wietzikoski and Michelle Nance.

As Mexiaites and other Limestonians get ready to open their pocketbooks in this noble effort, Lynda Mitchell reminds that, “Over 60,000 children are confirmed abuse victims each year in Texas. In 2006, 227 Texas children died from abuse and neglect. In calling attention to this, we urge everyone Wednesday to wear a blue shirt, or blue dress, or blue tie or ribbon to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and to encourage individuals and communities to support children and families.”

A blue ribbon is the international symbol for Child Abuse Prevention. The color blue was chosen to represent the bruised and battered bodies of the thousands of children who are abused every day. As Mitchell explains, “It serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe. You can join in honoring all children and in promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Together, we can make this world a safer place for our children.”