Sponsors needed for free community programming

By: 
Monika Spaulding, Digital Editor

Children enjoy making fairy and gnome houses during last year's event.

Hoping to provide kids fun, safe and free activities for the summer, Hoosier Hills PACT and the Washington County Prevent Child Abuse Council (PCA), are looking for sponsorships for their summer programming.

The two groups are partnering with Salem Parks and Rec, Salem Public Library, WSLM and Washington County YMCA/Youth First. They have been offering these free summer activities since 2015.

Laura Barrett, who is a PCA member and an employee of PACT, said by partnering together, they are able to do so much more for the youth in the community and they appreciate everyone who has partnered with them in the past to make these programs possible.

This is the first year the YMCA/Youth First has joined with the group for programming and she is excited about the partnership.

“I really like that we are joining our efforts together because we are the two biggest groups in the county that work with youth,” said Barrett. 

She said that while their numbers were low in the first year, they have now tripled the number of children served.

Barrett said last year, they had 306 children come by their booth at Kids Day at the Fair.

“We have continued to grow each year,” she said.

PCA Indiana has identified five risk factors for child abuse: substance abuse, domestic violence, lack of parenting skills, poverty and isolation.

Barrett said by improving free local summer events, it will help people in the community who have transportation issues, as well as financial issues, and encourage people to get out of the house and have fun with their kids for free.

“We try to hold activities in different locations so we can reach everyone,” said Barrett.

Events planned for the summer include Kids Day at the Fair June 20 and a photo booth at the fair June 18 in conjunction with Washington County Substance Abuse Council. Partnerships for Kids Day at the Fair include WCSAC, Leader Publishing Company, Washington County Tobacco Coalition, WOW, Park and Rec, the library, PACT and PCA.

“The more partners we have, the more we can do,” said Barrett. “We need more manpower! It’s always good to have partners and sponsors for events.”

The group has planned four community programs for June and July. 

One is making rockets at the Piper Museum, where children will get to make stomp rockets and then shoot them off at the airport. This will be Thursday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Pirates rock will be held Wednesday, June 27, at 2 p.m. on the community walking trail. This will include a scavenger hunt for treasure.

On Tuesday, July 10, at 2 p.m. meet at the shelter house at Lake Salinda for the fair houses program. Kids will get to choose between a fairy house or gnome house. All supplies will be provided and the group will take a walk on the trail to look for items to include on their houses.

Dinosaurs Rock! will be held Wednesday, July 18, at 2 p.m. at the YMCA. Children will dig for dinosaur bones and learn about dinosaurs. 

“We are really excited about our four events!” said Barrett. Snacks and drinks will be provided to everyone as well. “I hope to see all the kids there!”

Barrett said anyone is welcome to become a member of PCA and help volunteer at events. Background checks are required for everyone.

“We are a small group,” she said. “More members would be wonderful and we would be able to do more.”

She said other than the yearly rechartering fee of $150, all money raised by the group goes to the children in the community at these events.

“We are very proud of that!” said Barrett.

Those interested in sponsoring will have their names posted at the events that they help sponsor. There are three sponsorship levels: Gold - $250; Silver - $100; Bronze - $50.

Anyone interested in being a sponsor should contact Barrett at Hoosier Hills PACT by calling 812-883-3318. 

The schedule of free events will be posted in The Salem Leader and The Salem Democrat. Dates are also on the community calendar at www.salemleader.com. 

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