Child Safety

Village golfers didn't mind a little rain To the editor: Neither rain, nor rain, nor rain . . . could stop the 17th annual Children's Village “Keep Our Kids Safe” Golf Classic. Teams of golfers, committed to supporting child safety in Washington County, braved raindrops and a soggy course. (Unfortunately, however, lightning and thunder did end the tournament early.) Children's Village thanks all golfers, hole, cart, and prize sponsors, and volunteers for making this year's tournament a success, despite the weather and early ending.

Teaching your child about appropriate touch How to role play with your child By KAREN MASTERSON Staff Writer Parents have every reason to be concerned when entrusting their children to baby sitters, neighbors, other family members and adolescent children in the neighborhood, according to national studies and local social workers. U.S. Justice Department statistics from 1994 indicate that in child sexual abuse cases, children know their abusers 85 percent of the time.

HAGERSTOWN -- The public is invited Tuesday night to Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown to participate in National Night Out, an annual event that promotes child safety and helps forge bonds between the community and police. About 350 people turned out for last year's event to enjoy free food and watch entertainment that featured motivational rapper Sterlin Barr, who delivered an anti-crime message, said Carolyn Brooks, coordinator of the Collaborative Supervision and Focused Enforcement (C-SAFE)

The Town of Hancock donated $500 to Children's Village to support the free life-safety education program Children's Village provides to all second-grade students in Washington County each school year. Funds were generated from speed- camera revenue. Hancock was the first town to install the cameras. T.J. Buskirk, chief of police for the Town of Hancock, presented the check to Rochelle Morrell, director of Children's Village. “The Town of Hancock and the Hancock Police Department are committed to Children's Village and its successful safety program.

o Read more Harry Nogle columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Morgans give flag to Sharpsburg Elementary The Morgan family of Sharpsburg presented Sharpsburg Elementary School with a special flag and photograph. Travis Morgan recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and was able to get a flag that flew on a military helicopter. He and his family gave the flag to the school as a thank you for a successful year and as a remembrance of their family and the troops still deployed.

marlob@herald-mail.com For nearly 50 years, Richard M. Long has been active with an agency many people don't even know exists. Even those who have heard of the Travelers Protective Association of America may not know what it does. Long, now 81, said the organization's scope continues to amaze him. School safety patrols, fire safety training, child safety seats, bicycle helmets and scholarships for the deaf and hearing-impaired are among the projects it champions. "We have about 20 projects currently that are helping this community," Long said.

The Child Connection Inc. gives the following safety suggestions for children: - Yell, kick and scream if grabbed by a stranger. - Make sure your child knows his/her area code and phone number, and how to make a collect call in case of emergency. - Teach your child not to give his/her phone number or address to strangers. - Encourage your children to use the buddy system and to watch out for each other. - Get photos taken every six months of your children and keep a photo with you at all times.

HAGERSTOWN - Before he retired in December as pastor of Christ's Reformed Church in Hagerstown, the Rev. Don Stevenson was active in programs that helped the homeless and promoted child safety. But one of Stevenson's most important contributions to the community, he said, was helping create a series of interfaith sermons after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Stevenson, 69, said the sermons promoted tolerance and cultural exchange by featuring speakers from almost every faith, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.