Pat Boone Kicks Off Child Abuse Prevention Month

Famed recording artist and actor Pat Boone kicked off National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a visit to the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County, Calif. Boone had an opportunity to tour the center and visit with Exchangites. President George W. Bush recently issued a proclamation designating April as National Child Abuse Prevention month. 

The Orange County center is located in Santa Ana. More than 400 community members volunteer annually to assist the child abuse prevention efforts conducted by the center. A recent study showed that 97 percent of families served by the center displayed a marked improvement in family functioning as a result of the center’s intervention.

Since Child Abuse Prevention was adopted as Exchange’s national project in 1979, more than 190,000 children and 150,000 families have been assisted through Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers. There are more than 100 such centers across the nation working to break the cycle of child abuse through an innovative parent aide program. Exchange’s network of centers is the largest child abuse prevention program in the country.

Pat Boone was pleased to help Exchange kick off this very important month. “I’m glad to be able to help Exchange promote child abuse prevention,” said Boone. “This cause is very dear to my heart and I’m pleased to know that Exchange is at the forefront of these important efforts.”

“Awareness is the first step in preventing child abuse,” said William F. Ketron Jr., president of the National Exchange Club Foundation. “We want every Exchange Club and every member to help us educate the public so we can eradicate the tragedy of abuse.”

The NEC Foundation has been a leader in the fight against child abuse prevention. Efforts include a campaign to combat Shaken Baby Syndrome and an education program on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Every Exchange Club member financially supports the work of the Foundation, which includes training for Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center directors, an educational symposium for child abuse prevention professionals, and field support and guidance for Exchange’s network of centers.

While at the Orange County center, Boone filmed several television public service announcements encouraging viewers to get involved during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April as well as promoting Exchange. “The struggle against child abuse is a major challenge,” said Joseph T. Petruzzi Sr., vice president of the NEC Foundation, “so it’s wonderful to have the help of a great star like Pat Boone. We appreciate his support and that of Exchange members across the country.”

For more information about what you can do to help prevent child abuse, contact the National Exchange Club Foundation at (800) 924-2643 or info@preventchildabuse.com.

Famed recording artist and actor Pat Boone kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month with a visit to the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center, Orange County, Calif. The center is one of a network of some 100 Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers across the U.S.

Pat Boone, left, signs his autograph on several of his videos, Pat Boone's American Glory, given to him by Past California-Nevada District President Dick Freeman. The videos will be auctioned at The National Exchange Foundation Gala to be held at the 2003 National Convention in Birmingham, Ala.