ChildSafe’s Cardboard Kids campaign is getting an early start this year to allow more citizens to be part of the community-wide program designed to heighten awareness about child abuse and neglect. Cardboard Kids are memorable 2-foot high cardboard kid cutouts that individuals, civic groups, schools and businesses PICK-UP, DECORATE and DISPLAY on April 7.
They will be distributed free to the public in February and March at the following locations:
San Antonio Rodeo: Feb. 11 – Feb. 14, under the Y-100 Radio tent, during rodeo hours.
San Antonio Area Malls, March 11-13 and March 18 – 20:
Fridays 1 pm – 6 pm; Saturdays 10 am – 6 pm, and Sundays – noon to 5 pm.
Ingram Park Mall – lower level outside of Dillard’s
North Star Mall – lower level under the escalators leading up to the Food Court
Rolling Oaks Mall – lower lever center court near Guest Services
The Shops at La Cantera – center court on the compass star
More than 20,000 Cardboard Kids were distributed last year, representing the thousands of abused and neglected children in our community. ChildSafe hopes to double the number of Cardboard Kids displayed during this year’s campaign, made possible by the generous support of Valero Energy Foundation.
Citizens are asked to join in this effort by:
Pick up a Cardboard Kid at the San Antonio Rodeo or an area mall during a distribution weekend. Decorate the Cardboard Kid while talking to your kids about child abuse and personal safety. The Cardboard Kids’ website has tips for how to talk to children about personal boundaries and safety.
On April 7, take your Cardboard Kid wherever you go and display it in a prominent spot. Take a photo of your Cardboard Kid, or any others you see in the community April 7, and share it on social media using #cardboardkidsSA to begin a dialogue about this pressing issue.
In addition, ChildSafe will be showcasing InfoKids, Cardboard Kids cutouts showcasing a startling national statistic that also is valid in San Antonio: 5 children die of child abuse every day in the U.S.
The most recent report related to child abuse statistics provided by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for 2015 confirmed the number of children suffering from maltreatment to be 4,941 in Bexar County. There were four child deaths due to child abuse and neglect in that same year.
To learn more about Cardboard Kids, visit www.cardboardkidsSA.com. Anyone can be a part of this campaign!