Family Fun Day 2009
by Linda Jeffrey, Parent Center Coordinator
April 18, 2009 - In 1982, by Presidential Proclamation, April was declared Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since that time, child abuse and neglect awareness activities have been promoted across the country during April. Throughout Hawaii Island, collaborative groups of non-profit organizations come together to provide information to the public about child abuse. The six Kealakehe Complex 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Holualoa Elementary, Kealakehe Elementary, Kealakehe Intermediate, Kealakehe High, Kahakai Elementary, and Kona Adult Community School) partnered with Neighborhood Place of Kona and Kealakehe Parent-Community Center to sponsor an event that would bring families together just for fun: Family Fun Day.
Celebrating “healthy families” and “healthy communities” events provide times that bind relationships, giving families an identity. This year’s theme was “Ohana to Ohana”, celebrating loving and caring for one another. “Family Fun Day” was held at Kealakehe High School Gymnasium on April 18 with an attendance of close to 2,000. Everything was free: jump bouncer, inflated slide, choo-choo maze, FREE lunch, FREE shave ice and cotton candy, FREE entertainment. Thirty-five community members set us “resource” tables and provided interactive activities for the families. The 5 Kealakehe Complex schools provided entertainment throughout the day and offered samplings of after-school activities.
Children do “learn what they live” and if families can spend time together, hopefully the risk of abusive behaviors will be lessened. Certainly, this event sent a positive message as well as simply having fun together.