“You can’t just write a check and hope that it helps,” said Danny Daniel from Aware Central Texas. “Money is not going to stop the cycle of abuse. What we need is more volunteers and prayer.”

Aware Central Texas is a Belton-based nonprofit, family outreach program that works year-round to care for local neglected and battered children.

More than 3,500 cases of suspected child abuse were reported to the Child Protective Services office in Bell County. Of those, 1,100 were serious enough to warrant parental punishment. Of the 1,100 cases, 560 children were removed from the home and placed in foster care.

“The only thing that’s going to make that number go down is prayer and more people who care,” Daniel said.

People interested in helping can call (254) 939-7582. Volunteers will receive all necessary training free of charge. Daniel said what the organization needs most are more people willing to act as liaisons between case families and ACT.

“We need more people to work with the families,” Daniel said. “People who will bond with the families and help teach the skills and parenting methods that will stop the cycle of abuse. This means a lot of routine visits and a relationship that lasts years.”

If you can’t volunteer, you can offer a prayer of support.

This Sunday, the ACT staff invites the public to observe its fourth annual day of prayer.

Local churches are asked to devote 10 to 15 minutes of their service time to prayers for abused and neglected children. People can also wear blue ribbons and wristbands to show concern and encouragement. Blue is the nationally recognized color of child abuse awareness.

“The goal of Sunday is for everyone to recognize that there is a problem,” Daniel said. “Child abuse is an epidemic, and it’s going to take all of us to fix it.”

-- tlunsford@temple-telegram.com