By Carla Jean Whitley

carlaw@cullmantimes.com

When the eighth annual SafeKids Expo begins Saturday, it will be in a new location and several different attractions. SafeKids, which is hosted by Brooks’ Place, The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, Inc., will kick off Child Abuse Awareness Month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Depot Park. The event is targeted toward children ages 12 and younger and their parents.

“We’re trying to kick off the month with this fun and entertaining event highlighting the joy of being a child,” said Susan Martin, executive director of Brooks’ Place.

Among the activities promoting that joy will be the Pets and Pals walking parade, a Kritter Kostume Kontest and a Kids Variety Show. An inflatable attraction and refreshments will also be offered. All of the events are free of charge.

The walking parade will begin at the park and proceed to the Warehouse District.

“(It’s) just a couple of blocks where we can walk and kick off the event with fun for the kids,” Martin said.

Pets will also be included in the next event, which will be the Kritter Kostume Kontest. Martin said several awards will be given for costumes in a variety of categories.

The variety show will be comprised of a stage with a public address system. Children will be invited to demonstrate whatever talent they want for the public. Pets are welcome for this event, as well.

“There’s something about kids with a microphone that is very entertaining,” Martin said.

But the day won’t be all fun and games. The event will also promote safety awareness. Several agencies and organizations will be on hand to distribute safety information.

Victim Services of Cullman is one of those groups. Executive director Deborah Tucker said the organization will distribute information on bullying for younger children, as well as information about safe and healthy relationships for older children.

Cullman Caring for Kids will also be represented.

“Cullman Caring for Kids is all about child abuse prevention,” said Nancy Bryant, programs coordinator. The organization will distribute information about its eight programs geared toward child abuse prevention and awareness. Among that information will be brochures about child abuse, teen suicide, sudden infant death syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome. Blue ribbons, to represent the bruises on children, will also be distributed.

Children can also have their photograph taken for identification purposes during SafeKids, and their parents can fill out a booklet with the child’s identifying details. That way, if a child were to go missing, the parent would have all of that information readily available for law enforcement officials.

The photographs and ID booklets have been a consistent feature throughout the years and were part of the basis of the event’s formation eight years ago, said Martin, who is also the founding director of Brooks’ Place.

“There have been years when the weather’s been really pretty where we’ve had over 800 kids show up to get their pictures made,” she said. “We do not have a rain day. This is it. The weather will either cooperate or it will not.”

“This is kind of a transition year,” Martin said. “We’re going to see how things go, but basically a lot of things will remain the same.”

Also during Child Abuse Awareness Month, Cullman Caring for Kids will host a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. April 5 on the steps of the courthouse. April 5 is the National Day of Hope.

“Every day in the United States, at least three children die from child abuse and neglect,” Bryant said. She said there were 42 reported cases of such deaths in Alabama in 2005. “We’re just going to take the time to remember those children that died in Alabama.”

Brooks’ Place will wrap up Child Abuse Awareness Month on a more serious note by sponsoring a professional training seminar along with Wallace State Community College’s Human Services and Psychology Department. Registration for the seminar, “Major Issues of Minor Clients,” will begin at 8:30 a.m. April 28, with the opening session to begin at 9 a.m. The seminar will include three breakout sessions with two seminar choices for each session. The cost is $30, and pre-registration is recommended due to limited seating.