CULLMAN, Ala. – The 25th annual Safe Kids Expo will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-1p.m. at Sportsman Lake Park.
The event is organized by Brooks’ Place – The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman.
Brooks’ Place Executive Director Gail Swafford said the idea for the Safe Kids Expo came from retired Cullman County District Judge Kim Chaney, who always looked for opportunities to provide information and resources promoting child safety and strengthening families.
“Judge Chaney was committed to encouraging families to spend time together in a safe, fun environment,” Swafford said. “Thus the idea of Safe Kids was born. Judge Chaney, alongside his Juvenile Probation staff and Brooks’ Place staff, held the first Safe Kids Expo 25 years ago at the Cullman County Fairgrounds.”
Swafford said at that time families received ID packets for their children that contained a polaroid picture of the child, the child’s fingerprints and other valuable information needed should a child be abducted or lost.
“Safe Kids Expo has grown each year, adding more fun, games and participating agencies focused on child safety,” she said. “Currently Safe Kids is held at Sportsman Lake Park. Since April is Child Abuse Awareness Prevention month, it was only fitting to host the event in April of each year.”
Swafford said the event would not be possible without sponsors, including Sportsman Lake Park, Cullman County Commission, Desperation Church, Pepsi, Cullman Lions Club, District Attorney Champ Crocker, Wal-Mart Distribution, Cullman County Partnership for Children and Cullman County Home Builders Association.
What is the Brooks’ Place Child Advocacy Center? It was formed in 1997 after a grassroots effort headed by then Cullman County District Attorney Len Brooks to provide services to child abuse victims. The center was named in his honor. Services include trauma-focused counseling, forensic medical exams and advocacy for child abuse victims. All services are provided at no cost to families. Brooks’ Place partners with law enforcement, DHR, juvenile probation, medical professionals specializing in child abuse and the DA’s office to seek justice and healing for children and families dealing with the impact of child abuse. It is the only agency in Cullman providing all the services under one roof needed for children to heal from abuse.
For more information, visit www.cullmancac.com or www.facebook.com/brooksplacecac or call 256-739-2243.
The Safe Kids Expo is a free event and will include face painting, music, train rides, putt-putt golf, popcorn, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Sportsman Lake Park is located at 1544 Sportsman Lake Road NW, in Cullman.
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