Abuse awareness vigil planned

Members of the Tyler County Child Welfare Board are shown with students from the Colmesneil High School Buildings and Trade class and CHS principal Stephanie Smith. The students installed blue crosses in front of the Tyler County Courthouse, at the corner of US 190 and 69. The crosses are a sobering reminder and tribute to the 182 children who died, statewide, last year due to abuse and/or neglect. April is celebrated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and CASA of the Sabine Neches Region is hosting a vigil in Woodville toward the awareness and prevention of this societal ill.

The vigil will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 14 at the Woodville City Hall, located at 400 West Bluff Street. Lori McGee, who works as the recruitment and retention coordinator for the organization encouraged everyone from the community to come out and participate.

“We would love to have as many of the community members as possible,” McGee said.

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The memorial, according to McGee, is done in remembrance of the 182 children who died last year as a result of abuse and/or neglect in the state of Texas.

April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it was first observed in 1983 when then-President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the heightened awareness of the issue and communities working together helps prevent child maltreatment.

“Prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help to protect children and strengthen families,” according to the federal agency’s website.

CASA serves Tyler, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Orange and Sabine counties by training volunteers to advocate for abused and/or neglected children in courts, in schools and in the community toward the aim of family reunification or alternative placement in a safe, permanent and loving home, according to its website.

For anyone interested in volunteering or donating to the organization, the organization’s information is accessible via its website, www.casasnr.org, or through its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/casasnr/) or by emailing McGee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phone at 409-886-2272.