April 30 set as
Celebrate Children — A Blue Ribbon Day for Kids

With the Governor declaring April 30 as the annual Celebrate Children’s Day in Wisconsin, the state joins the international community in honoring children. Almost 150 countries have a children’s day with Latin American countries recognizing youth April 30 — El Día de Los Niños. This day is widely celebrated in Mexico where movie theaters show free movies, ice cream flows freely, and kids dress up in costume and parade through town. In 1999, the National Latino Children’s institute in Texas brought the holiday to the United States

When planning your campaign for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, end the month by honoring children in your community. The following list of ideas will help you get started:

• Distribute blue ribbon pins to community members and businesses and ask them to wear blue on April 30.
• Organize a luncheon or picnic and invite everyday heroes, local celebrities and legislators to speak.
• Plan a "hands across the community" parade with marching bands and children.
• Ask a local movie theater to show a special family matinee.
• Hold a poster contest and display entries at libraries and local businesses.