April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. To help bring attention to this national problem, Childhelp USA has designated the first Wednesday of April the Childhelp USA National Day of Hope. On this day, people are invited to light three wick candles and observe a three minute moment of silence to recognize the three children that die each day in this country from neglect and abuse in their home.

Restaurants donate proceeds from certain tables to Childhelp treatment and prevention programs that benefit abused and neglected children. Religious leaders are urged to light three wick candles on the weekend before or after the first Wednesday of April, during their services, and have their congregation pray for abused and neglected children everywhere.

Members of the US Congress, mayors, and governors are encouraged to open meetings on the first Wednesday of April by lighting a three-wick candle, and observing a three-minute moment of silence for these children. TV stations air stories of neglect and abuse, and place a three-wick candle on the news anchors desk.

Three of Childhelp USA’s Partners of Hope donated a portion of sales of their products to Childhelpeach in 2004. On March 9th, 2004, the Senate passed a resolution (SRES 299), that declared April 7th, 2004 as the first National Day of Hope to honor the efforts of Childhelp USA to increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect.

The pattern of threes is in recognition of the fact that three children die each day, three million reports of abuse and neglect are reported each year, and the estimated actual abuse cases is estimated to be three times that which is reported.

If you are a restaurant owner or know of someone who is, you can download a pledge form and get more information about participation here.

Please join Childhelp USA and the rest of the country on April 5th, 2006, to remember the innocent children who die each year due to neglect and abuse. Thanks!