Advocacy Network for Children plans events in April for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

QUINCY — Advocacy Network for Children is planning a number of events throughout the area in honor of April being National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. A number of local businesses will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the agency.

Advocacy Network for Children has two programs — CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and CAC (Children’s Advocacy Centers). CASA trains community volunteers to become the voice for a child in the court system. CAC uses a team approach in the investigation and prosecution of sexual and severe physical abuse cases involving children. Team members include Children’s Advocacy Center staff, local law enforcement, Illinois State Police, Department of Child and Family Services, state’s attorneys, mental health and medical personnel.

Since opening its doors 35 years ago, Advocacy Network for Children has advocated for thousands of abused and neglected children throughout its 11-county service area. Protecting and upholding the rights of children when wrongs have been committed against them is the heart of its mission.

April fundraising events will be:

• TCBY in Quincy on April 23
• The Drink Shop in Mount Sterling, Camp Point and Jacksonville throughout the month of April.
• Carter’s Coffee at both Quincy locations on April 18
• Mahoney’s Coffee in Carthage, 100 percent of sales from their “Bloom” lotus drink the week of April 14
• Platt Daddy BBQ in Quincy on April 4
• Babe’s in Havana on April 9
• Hy-Vee in Jacksonville Steak Night from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 10
• Pizza Unlimited in Rushville on April 16
• Haymakers in Pittsfield on April 25
• Raising Cane’s in Quincy on April 2 (must mention Advocacy Network for Children to receive donation)
• The KC Range in Quincy from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 30 from bay rentals

Flag raising, awareness and pinwheel planting events will be held on the following dates:

• Morgan County Municipal Building-Awareness proclamation — 1 p.m. on April 10
• Adams County Courthouse-Flag raising and proclamation — noon on April 11
• Hancock County Courthouse-Pinwheel Planting — 12:05 p.m. on April 14
• Pike County Courthouse-Pinwheel Planting — 11 a.m. on April 17

For more information, call the administrative office at 217-223-2272.