BIG SPRING, TX (KWES) - The 6th Annual Stand Up Howard County balloon release yesterday was a sight to behold.
The skies of Big Spring were filled with blue balloons to symbol National Child Abuse Awareness Month during April.
A proclamation read by Mayor Larry McLellan serves to unite the community and not let the truth of child abuse float away into oblivion.
Event Coordinator April Arms said, “This event allows us to show a unified front as a community, against an issue we would like to think doesn’t exist in our community, but in all reality it does."
The goal is to end society’s ignorance on the subject.
Arms continues, “The more we talk about child abuse, educate the community on available resources and shine a light on it, the more power we give to the victims and show the offenders that we won’t sit quietly by.”
Sending the balloons out into the world helps eliminate turning a blind eye to the enduring issue.
If you see something, say something.
“Child Abuse is an issue that shouldn’t exist in our community, but it does. The only way to get rid of the problem is to educate people and encourage them to speak up when they recognize or suspect an issue,” Arms notes.
Scenic Mountain Medical Center partnered with more than 20 local agencies participating in this event full of hope.