February 17, 2003

Baptists asked again to
Bear the Burden for Texas children
___The scene is repeated 137 times a day in Texas--six times every hour: Young victims of child abuse are removed from their homes and, for their protection, are taken to a safe facility or foster home.
___Many times their only source of comfort during that traumatic experience is a stuffed animal given to them by response personnel or child advocacy groups. To make sure those caregivers have a steady supply of stuffed animals, Buckner Children and Family Services is sponsoring Bear the Burden for a second year.
___The campaign seeks brand-new stuffed toys to give to children who have been abused and neglected.
___April, the designated collection month, is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
___Buckner Children and Family Services created the program as a way to further communicate the need to prevent child abuse in Texas, officials said. According to the latest statistics from state officials, 50,000 cases of abuse and neglect are confirmed annually and another 200,000 are reported but go unconfirmed.
___"Our mission at Buckner is to provide a safe haven for abused and neglected children through our residential programs and foster care," said Felipe Garza, director of Buckner Children and Family Services. "But in recent years, we've realized the pressing need to try and stop abuse and neglect before it happens."
___Garza appealed for help from individuals, churches, civic organizations, schools and anyone interested in promoting Bear the Burden to lead their communities.
___Because of safety concerns, all the stuffed toys to be given to children must be new. Donations will be collected at the following Buckner Children and Family Services locations:
___Amarillo, (806) 352-3900; Beaumont, (409) 866-0976; Dallas, (214) 319-3415; Longview, (903) 757-9383; Lubbock, (806) 795-7151; McAllen, (956) 668-0145; Midland, (915) 687-3525; Mission, (956) 585-4847.
___Materials for promotion of Bear the Burden may be accessed at www.beartheburden.org or by calling (866) HELP-BEAR.
___

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