A group of children gathered behind Killeen Elementary School Thursday afternoon thoroughly enamored with the sweet, joyous task in front of them.
They took the blue and white balloons provided and at the designated moment released them into a brisk southeast wind.
With parents, teachers and community members standing by, the children shouted and pointed upward at the idyllic scene of bright blue balloons surging skyward.
It was the picture of innocence – a village gathered on the cusp of Easter weekend to celebrate the profound, fragile beauty of childhood.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. The balloon release was the annual culmination of a gathering of guardian protectors of the community’s youngest population.
David Woodberry, chairman of the Bell County Child Welfare Board presided over the event.
City of Killeen and Killeen ISD leaders read proclamations in support of the month committed to child abuse awareness. Children read a prayer of protection in English and Spanish (see the words below).
Woodberry, the Communities in Schools site director at Killeen Elementary School, shared the stark reality of the need for an annual awareness campaign. About 400 children in Bell County are under state care currently due to abuse and more are under investigation.
Mary Prater of Fort Hood Army Community Services led students in a simple, profound statement printed on a small card handed out to children. Speak up, stay strong. If something feels wrong tell a grown-up; don’t delay. We can stay safe every day.
As students and family members stopped by vendor tables offering service information, Woodberry explained the important mission of the moment.
Bell County is frequently the first or second in Texas in numbers of reported acts of child abuse cases and casualties in a year.
“We deal with many children in care. Those numbers go up and down a little, but we’re trying to make people more aware of reporting child abuse in the preventive stage,” said Woodberry, who is active at the county, region and state levels of caring for children.
“I want families to know what their options are and more about the systems in place,” he said. “Educating children is also important so they know how they can get assistance.”
The Child Welfare Board helps assist child protective services and three Rainbow Rooms in Bell County that provide supplies for children in protective care.
Child’s prayer for safety and kindness:
Dear God, Thank you for loving me and all children everywhere. Please keep every child safe from harm. Help grown-ups be gentle, kind and fair. Give courage to children who feel scared and send them to people who will listen and care. Fill our home, schools and playgrounds with love so every child can laugh, learn and grow. Amen.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720332898428