Planning course to host abuse awareness event

Texas A&M University-Commerce's planning and organizing health promotion class will host its first-ever child abuse awareness event April 20 from 4-7 p.m.

The event will take place on the grassy area between The Children's Museum and Children's Learning Center and will serve as a fundraiser for the Children's Learning Center, a daycare facility owned by the school and operated off campus.

"We invite anyone affiliated with Texas A&M-Commerce or any member of the Commerce Community to attend," health promotion major and student in the class Tyler Harwell said.

The event will include information tables, medical professionals, and children's entertainment including a bounce house, face painting, and obstacle course.

"CPS (Child Protective Services), poison control, WIC (Women Infants Children), the Commerce Fire Department, the Police Department, and event a medevac helicopter will be present at the event," Harwell said, "Our goal is to have at least 100 people attending the event."

The class prepared for the event by conducting a survey of approximately 1100 people as a needs assessment. They then developed ideas for the event, contacted various information sources, wrote a PSA to be announced on local radio station 88.9 KETR, and constructed fliers for students and university departments.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door, $2 for adults and $1 for children. For more information regarding the event contact Dr. Quynh Dang by calling 903-886-5548.