Harrisburg, PA (January 22, 2019) – Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the state leader in child abuse prevention, and its leading sponsors, Outdoor Advertising Association of Pennsylvania, PSECU, Weis Markets, and One Oxford Centre, today launched the nomination period for the 2019 PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards. Recipients will be announced in April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, at ceremonies in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
According to the latest Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Annual Child Protective Services Report, 40 children in the commonwealth died of child abuse in 2017. A total of 4,693 children were victims of abuse, including 88 children who suffered near-fatal injuries.
“Our vision is for all children to grow and thrive free from abuse and neglect. To make that vision a reality, we need everyone to become a Champion for Safe Kids,” said Angela M. Liddle, MPA, PFSA President and CEO. “If you know someone who has gone above and beyond to put the safety of children first, please nominate them for our prestigious PA Blue Ribbon Champions Awards. It’s a free application and the nomination process is easy to complete.”
As in years past, PFSA will honor five statewide individuals for their efforts to protect the well-being of children, including two child welfare professionals, two community volunteers, and one media professional. Any individual who has worked or volunteered to protect Pennsylvania children from abuse and neglect is eligible. Media nominees must have covered Pennsylvania child abuse-related issues in 2018. Award recipients will be announced and celebrated at a ceremony on April 3 in the Pennsylvania State Capitol Rotunda.
New for 2019, PFSA also will honor one Allegheny County Champion for Safe Kids. Eligible nominees include any professional, volunteer, press member, or media entity whose work focused on children affected by abuse in Allegheny County. A ceremony will be held in Pittsburgh on April 10, to honor both the award recipient and the child victims of abuse.
2019 PFSA PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards nomination forms, criteria, and instructions are available at www.pablueribbonchampion.org/nominate. The deadline for nomination entries is February 25. Independent panels of judges will determine the winners.
“On behalf of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Pennsylvania, we are proud to be able to play a small part in keeping Pennsylvania’s children safe,” said OAAP President Jim Vlasach.
“At PSECU, we’re committed to helping build a community that is safe, healthy, and vibrant for everyone to enjoy. That’s why we’re so proud to be a sponsor of Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance’s PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “By honoring these local heroes, we’re raising awareness of a serious issue and showing everyone across the state that there are many ways they can contribute to protecting the welfare and well-being of our children.”
“Weis Markets is proud to support the mission of PFSA as we work together to ensure that every Pennsylvania child is protected from harm and has an opportunity to grow and thrive,” said Ron Bonacci, Weis Markets Vice President of Advertising and Marketing.
”As an active participant in our community, we are pleased and proud to support Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance’s PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards. The work done by these nominees, and others in their field, is vital, important, and helps not just the kids, but our entire extended community,” said Lori Beretta, General Manager for One Oxford Centre.
Additionally, during National Child Abuse Prevention Month PFSA will plant small flags bearing the blue child abuse awareness ribbon in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh in remembrance of victims of child abuse.
About Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance prevents child abuse and protects children from harm by helping parents learn positive parenting techniques, educating professionals and volunteers who work with children to recognize and report child abuse, and helping community members learn how they can play a positive role in keeping children safe. To learn more about our programs, schedule a training, or make a donation, please visit pa-fsa.org, or call 800-448-4906.
About OAAP
Founded in 1933, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Pennsylvania (OAAP) promotes and encourages the protection of trade and commerce, and ensures a standard code of ethics and business conduct governing Outdoor Advertising to benefit the public welfare. OAAP is a member of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America.
About PSECU
Opened in 1934, PSECU was founded by 22 ordinary people who made an extraordinary commitment to each other: To create a financial institution where pooled resources benefit all members. Today, we are a full-service credit union serving more than 450,000 members and have over $5 billion in assets. As a not-for-profit financial institution, our goal remains to help our members and their families achieve a better life. For more information about PSECU, visit psecu.com. View our Community Report Card to learn how we contribute to the greater good.
About Weis Markets
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid-Atlantic food retailer operating 203 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Virginia. For more information, please visit: WeisMarkets.com or Facebook.com/WeisMarkets.
About One Oxford Centre
One Oxford Centre is a 45-story, 1.3 million square foot trophy-caliber office tower in downtown Pittsburgh. Built in 1980, designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, the tower is one of the most recognizable in the Pittsburgh skyline – visible from any angle, and set apart by its octagonal shape, unique silver façade, and layered upper levels.
