Amador County – Amador County Child Abuse Prevention Council and local agencies are teaming up for the 4th annual Bowl-a-thon fundraiser March 31, which will include a silent auction, and a “Kid Friendly” Food Drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Bank.

Child Abuse Prevention Council Executive Director Robin Valencia announced the Bowl-a-Thon in the March newsletter. The Bowl-a-thon is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at Gold Country Lanes Bowling Center in Sutter Creek. A Silent Auction to benefit the Amador Child Abuse Prevention Council includes donations of items or services from more than 140 local businesses.

Auction items include a $500 value, two-night stay at Seascape Beach Resort. Other items include local wines, jewelry, art, tools, automotive care, fitness gyms, salons, restaurants, pet care and antiques.

The “Kid-Friendly” Food Drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Bank will help to feed the children and families of Amador County. Valencia said the auction and food drive are open to the public.

Valencia said “for the fourth year in a row the Child Abuse Prevention Council is filling the bowling alley as a kick-off to April’s National Child Abuse Prevention month.” She said the “Bowl-a-Thon is the major funding source for the council, but it is also used to bring awareness to how we all can play a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.”

Some of the Council’s prevention efforts include providing the hospital and Baby Welcome Wagon program with “Period of Purple Crying” DVDs and booklets to give to each family of newborns. So far, the council has purchased 400 sets of materials and collaborated with Calaveras County to purchase another 100.

The Council also presents Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention training to hundreds of students and care providers each year. It also offers free training for Mandated Reporters, and on Positive Youth Development, Stranger Awareness, and Keeping Safely Connected.

Another program promotes the pledge: “I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others,” and the Council invites all to take the pledge. The Council also holds a “Kid-friendly” food drive at each of our Bowl-a-Thons.

Valencia said “preventing child abuse and neglect is a community effort, and we are very thankful for the amount of community support we receive each year. Hundreds of businesses, organizations, and individuals have organized teams to bowl, made financial contributions, or donated items or services to use at our silent auction to raise funds to support our work.”

The Council also plans its 14th Annual “Celebrate Our Children” festival April 28 at Argonaut High School.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.