Thanks to the people who came out in support
The turning of the calendar from March to April means that once again it is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support our children and families. Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first Federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), in 1974.
In the early 1980s, Congress made a further commitment to identifying and implementing solutions to child abuse. Recognizing the alarming rate at which children continued to be abused and neglected and the need for innovative programs to prevent child abuse and assist parents and families affected by maltreatment, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives resolved that the week of June 6-12, 1982, should be designated as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week. They asked the President to issue a proclamation calling upon Government agencies and the public to observe the week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
The following year, April was proclaimed the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since then, child abuse and neglect awareness activities have been promoted across the country during April of each year. The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) coordinates Child Abuse Prevention Month, providing information and releasing updated national statistics about child abuse and neglect each April.
Child Sexual Abuse is of epidemic proportions. It was announced that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, while only 1 in 10 victims tells of their abuse. There are over 39 million survivors in the United States today. Yet the subject of child sexual abuse remains taboo and therefore thrives in the shadows of society. The RAACE Foundation a 501(c)3 organization was created in response to the knowledge that child sexual abuse is tragically destructive, all too common, and totally preventable.
Sadly, child sexual abuse is often referred to as a silent epidemic. The RAACE Foundation is dedicated to changing that, because The First Step to Prevention is Awareness. The RAACE Foundation (Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere) hopes to lessen the social stigma surrounding Child Sexual Abuse through awareness campaigns and the distribution of educational materials.
This year The RAACE Foundation and The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix have teamed up to commemorate April as Child Abuse Prevention Month on the evening of Thursday, April 16th. A huge celebration is planned including indoor go-kart racing, a celebrity race and auction, The Valleys best Chili Cook-Off, family fun, and educational programs are all part of the evenings activities. The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix indoor go-kart track and entertainment facility is located at 649 South 10th St. in Allentown. We had been looking for a charity to work with for sometime and seeing that we are in racing it only made sense to partner with a great charity like The RAACE Foundation. Stopping Child Sexual Abuse is a priority for me, my family and our staff. We have several events planned throughout the year to help raise funds so The RAACE Foundation can help us raise awareness, protect our children and educate the Lehigh Valley said Kristine McCreary Corporate Sales, Fundraising, Party & Event Coordinator at LVGP.
The highlight of the event will be the celebrity race featuring The RAACE Foundation Family of drivers which includes: sprint car drivers Joey Biasi, Stevie Smith, and Jonathon Henne, dirt modified drivers Kyle Weiss, Darryl Dissinger, Kelby Taylor, Ryan Suchon, and Brad Arnold, NHRA drag racers Doug Horne, Ashley Therien and Brian Therien, asphalt modified driver Todd Baer, asphalt late model champion Mike Sweeney, dirt late model racers Alan Sagi, Gregg Hoffmaster and Scott LeBarron, Dave Shirk with the ARDC midgets, American LeMans Series road racer Darryl Shoff, quarter midget youngsters Nicholas Baer and Lauryn Siegfried, outlaw sprint kart champion Tru Atkins, WKA go-karters CJ Rahuba, Dakota Kohler, and Chris Rahuba, DJ Quint and his Univ. of Missouri formula SAE team, as well as micro sprint racers Tyler Fisher, JR Schott, and Jay Batdorf. Local hot shoes will be represented by the legendary NASCAR modified family of Matt and Tony Hirschman, others set to race include Lou Cicconi, Eric Beers, Earl Paules, Doug Manmiller, URC Sprint Car driver Tim Hogue and more. There is plenty of room for more racers and spectators should enjoy the view around the ¼ mile indoor road course.
Hersheys JaMere, Allentowns TGI Fridays, and Schuylkill Havens Burnies Italian Ice & Mini Golf will compete with several other local establishments for the areas best Chili. Bowels of the divine brew will be sold to help raise funds. No sport draws families and fans like motorsports said Brad Brickel Director of Development for The RAACE Foundation. We are very excited about this event it should be a lot of fun and very informational Brickel added.
Yet the roar of the engines, the speed of the racers, and the cheers of the fans cant eliminate the pain of a child suffering from sexual abuse. But with the help of racers, fans, and organizations like The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, The RAACE Foundation can educate adults so no other child has to suffer the same silent fate. The RAACE Foundation and those who support their goal to Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere know that until every child is safe from abuse our RAACE has no finish line.
For more information on The RAACE Foundation please visit www.raace.org, on myspace at www.myspace.com/theraacefoundation or by calling 1-800-755-kids. The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix is conveniently located off of the Lehigh St. exit of I78 at 649 South 10th St. and can be found at www.lehighvalleygrandprix.com.
