Say “Hello” to a New Idaho Halloween Tradition
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October 19, 2009
BOISE, Idaho - Say "Trick or treat" and then say "hello," to get to know the children and parents in your neighborhood. The Idaho Children's Trust Fund "Our Kids: Our Business" initiative intends to make that greeting a new Halloween tradition, as a way to strengthen neighborhoods and families. The idea arose from the outpouring of community support last summer, when thousands of people volunteered their time looking for a missing 8-year-old, Robert Manwill.
"Our Kids: Our Business" member Janell Zuckerman, who also coordinates the Treasure Valley YMCA "Safe Routes to Schools" program, says the bottom line is that the community does not want to lose another child.
"On a day when children and parents already will be out in the neighborhood, let's take it a little further. Have children get to know their neighbors, have neighbors get to know the children and their parents."
Zuckerman says building strong families, strong communities and strong neighborhoods is the way to prevent child abuse.
"We hope to create, in the long run, a safety net or a safe place - a place where people can feel like they belong. A place where, if they see something out of the ordinary, they feel enough ownership to respond."
The Idaho Children's Trust Fund is encouraging people to post a "Say Hello on Halloween" sign in their window. The sign can be downloaded from www.IdahoChildrensTrustFund.Idaho.Gov, where more information about "Our Kids: Our Business" also is available.