Whitley County Health Department holding child abuse awareness event Saturday

Area residents can head out to Briar Creek Park this Saturday for some holiday fun while also getting some important information about helping to prevent child abuse.

In honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month, which is recognized annually each April, the Whitley County Health Department is holding a Child Abuse Awareness Event Saturday, April 1, at Briar Creek Park.

Traditionally, the health department has held a walk as a means of raising awareness, but Ashley Lawson, health educator at the health department, said that they wanted to change directions a bit this year.

“Instead of just doing a walk, we have decided to do a community event so people in our community can see all the resources we have available. Our community is filled with agencies that want to help parents, children and caregivers,” said Lawson. “We’re coming together to get education out on prevention and free resources for our children.”

In addition to the information and resources that will be available, attendees will be able to partake in several activities.

“The event will have several community partners, free hotdogs, popcorn, and a huge egg hunt for kids and superheroes. We invite anyone to attend this event as we hope it can impact a family in need of a resource that may not have known about,” said Lawson.

The event is free and will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.