***Predators Press Release***
ORLANDO, FL – Across the nation, child abuse is the current leading cause of death in children under the age of 4. Statistics indicate that at least two out of three child abuse incidents go unreported each year and the United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations – losing on average between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, the community is encouraged to play a role in making Central Florida a better and safer place for our children to live. We can do this by ensuring that parents have the skills, knowledge and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities during events of awareness.
On April 19, 2014, the Orlando Predators will proudly support National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child Abuse Prevention Night will make its way to The Jungle with the help of Kids House, an advocacy center in Seminole County that aids child abuse victims and families by providing services, a friendly environment and treatment. Kids House’s mission is to prevent child abuse and to aid child abuse victims and families by providing coordinated services in a safe, child-friendly environment from report and investigation through treatment and resolution. During this game, the Predators family will dedicate numerous pregame and in-game activities to bring awareness to this important cause. To keep the theme of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Predators are asking that the fans show their support by wearing blue jeans and the color blue to the game. Kids House will also hand out blue Predators themed t-shirts and postcards to fans entering the game.
Kids House encourages all agencies involved in child abuse causes to come together under one roof as well as the local community. Kids House has invited all of Central Florida to join the “Get Out Your Blues” campaign founded by Kids House this April. “Get Out Your Blues” seeks to turn Central Florida blue on April 25th and encourages everyone to get involved.
The Predators will also be involved in theChild Abuse Prevention Month Press Conference, which is set for Thursday, April 17 at 11:30 a.m. EST. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will be joined by the region’s Children’s Advocacy Centers servingSeminole, Orange, Osceola and Brevard counties in helping raise awareness for this critical cause.
For more information about Kids House andChild Abuse Prevention Month, visitwww.kidshouse.org.
ABOUT KIDS HOUSE: Kids House’s mission is to prevent child abuse and to aid child abuse victims and families by providing coordinated services in a safe, child-friendly environment from report and investigation through treatment and resolution. To accomplish this mission, Kids House provides a unique, child friendly facility for information gathering and treatment for victims of abuse.
ABOUT ORLANDO PREDATORS: The Orlando Predators are heading into their 23rd season as Orlando’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field, reaching the AFL postseason a league-leading 19times in their history. The Orlando Predators have advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 19 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.