The Co-Founders of ChildHelp, the national Child Abuse Hotline, Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson sent me a thank-you letter for my participation in their annual National Day of Hope campaign on April 7, 2021. I gave my testimony about what it was like coming from an abusive family background, and explained the plight of today’s youth finding themselves in similar circumstances. The video conference meetings were intended to convince members of Congress that the ChildHelp National Helpline service needs to be officially recognized and supported by the US Government.
I am honored to have been chosen to speak for, and represent the needs of, the thousands of helpless and traumatized youth in America today. Many of these kids DON’T EVEN KNOW they are being abused! Having grown up in a household where slapping, punching, screaming, starving and many other physical and mental “punishments” were considered “normal”, you don’t have any idea that most other kids are encouraged, loved, nurtured, and supported in most everything they do. My heart aches for the torment they endure. I want to reach out and hug each and every one of them. But I DON’T KNOW WHO THEY ARE – OR WHERE THEY LIVE! Amazingly, many of them live in YOUR neighborhood!
When you see a child recoiling from hand gestures, or looking glassy-eyed, sleep-deprived or generally withdrawn – ASK QUESTIONS! Take time to care and find out what is going on in their lives. Inform them that if they, or their siblings, feel like they are in danger, it is okay to call for help. Give them the ChildHelp Hotline number 1-800-4-A-Child (or 1-800-422-4453).
Having assisted with hundreds of benefit concerts and activities over my lifetime, I STILL have a heart for the children enduring hardships in today’s COVID-ravaged and upside-down society. We all need to speak up and seek to help in some way – whether it is with a food drive, cash donation, volunteering or getting online to email and post messages in support of efforts to help these kids.
Please consider getting involved in some way and help innocent children to be able to find HOPE, Peace and Healing. You can reach ChildHelp at https://www.childhelp.org/ or by calling 480-922-8212.
