Cramer Children's Center

DOWNTOWN GATHERING BRINGS AWARENESS TO CHILD PROTECTION

FLORENCE, Ala. - On May 25th, the Cramer Children's Center and several University of North
Alabama departments are combining their efforts to bring awareness to child safety. The events
will occur at 11:00 a.m., in front of the Cramer Children's Center at 404 West Tennessee Street
in downtown Florence. This event is affiliated with the Department of Justice's Take 25
campaign. The UNA Department of Criminal Justice, Women's Center, and Student Affairs are
co-sponsoring the effort with the Cramer Children's Center. Miss UNA Erica Gholson will be on
hand, and will also present safety lessons at Princess Night at the Florence Mall on May 20,
2010. (Go to the UNA web site, www.una.edu for more details on Princess Night)

Take 25 is a preventive child safety campaign that the Department of Justice is promoting in
partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is a
private, nonprofit organization with a mission of helping prevent child abduction and sexual
exploitation, aid in the recovery of missing children, and assistance for children who have been
victimized. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared May 25 as National Missing Children's
Day, and each administration since has honored the day as an annual reminder to make child
protection a national priority.

NCMEC launched Take 25 in May 2007 as a nationwide grassroots initiative designed to
heighten awareness of the issues surrounding missing and exploited children. The Take 25
campaign encourages law enforcement, parents and educators to take 25 minutes to talk to
children about ways to be safer and encourages an ongoing dialogue with children about safety.
The annual event occurs near the beginning of summer vacation for many children-a time when
they are often less supervised than at any time during the year. Age appropriate videos and other
conversation starters are available for parents and children on the Take 25 web site. Some
materials are also available in Spanish or French.

"This event is to bring the Shoals community together for the purpose of protecting children,"
said Dr. Phil Bridgmon, chair of the UNA Department of Criminal Justice. "The event reminds us
of ways to protect children and highlights the need for greater support of children and families."
Circuit Judge Jimmy Sandlin will deliver the keynote. All locally elected officials have been
extended special invitations to the event. Pinwheels will be placed at the Cramer Children's
Center, with each pinwheel representing a forensic interview conducted by the Cramer Children's
Center in the past year to begin in investigation into potential child abuse or neglect. The event
will conclude with brief remarks related to Take 25. Tours of the Cramer Children's Center will
also be available. The public is invited. Light refreshments will be served following the event.
For more information visit www.take25.org, or call Phil Bridgmon at 765-4192