Fort Bliss Monitor

CDC helps celebrate ‘Month of the Child’ at El Paso Zoo

Local musician Gary Dulabaum leads the mini-march at the El Paso Zoo, singing “Marching Together,” a song written for Together for Children.

April, the Month of the Child, was observed in an all-out celebration Saturday by throngs of families who gathered at the El Paso Zoo for a day full of activities and education organized by Together for Children, a non-profit public awareness campaign, and sponsored by several local organizations including the Fort Bliss Child Development Center.

The day’s activities included free educational material, games, arts and crafts, a mini-march and musical entertainment.

“The purpose of the event today was to create awareness that our children need quality health, education and safety,” said Cheryl Kelly, president and founder of Together for Children. “We’re here to stomp our feet, sing our message, provide free educational material, fun activities for the kids and to celebrate children in general.”

A total of 26 different organizations donated their time and personnel to the event, which received more than $2,000 in donations, including $100 from the Fort Bliss Parent Council. Enough money was raised to let the first 1,000 people in free of charge, and every activity at the event was free as well.

“I think it was absolutely wonderful that all these organizations came out. We had a wonderful turnout,” said Kelly. “We’re hoping to just bring awareness that children are precious and they should be put first.”

As families began to pour into the zoo, booths were already set up for the children to try their hand at a ring toss game, design homemade glasses and hats and create one-of-a-kind marble paintings. Local musician Gary Dulabaum performed for the children and led the mini-march throughout the zoo, singing the song “Marching Together,” which was written for Together for Children.

Lupe Adams, a CDC employee, was a volunteer at the event and said it was a success due to the large number of families in attendance. Adams, who has worked with children for 18 years, said the CDC has been involved with Together for Children for several years and every year they get more volunteers.

“That’s our goal, to get more people out here and make them aware of the Month of the Child and what it stands for,” said Adams.

Spc. Derek Christie, a Soldier from the 2nd Brigade, 6th Air Defense Artillery Battalion, attended the event with his wife Tamika and their 3-year-old daughter Nevaeh. Derek, who is new to El Paso, said at first he only went because his wife suggested it, but found the event had a lot to offer.

“We wanted to get outdoors and see what El Paso is like,” said Derek. “There were a lot of different things out here to do, and my daughter was very excited about everything.”

Friends Janet Delgado, 11, and Denisha Davidson, 12, attended the event together.

“We both wanted to come because we were really looking forward to something new,” said Delgado.

Kelly said the event also provided a chance for some families to come to the zoo when they couldn’t afford it otherwise and participate in activities they couldn’t otherwise participate in.

“That, to me, was the biggest reward, besides trying to create awareness that children are special,” said Kelly.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	April 14, 2005

	CDC helps celebrate ‘Month of the Child’ at El Paso Zoo Local musician Gary Dulabaum leads the mini-march at the El Paso Zoo, singing “Marching Together,” a song written for Together for Children. April, the Month of the Child, was observed in an all-out celebration Saturday by throngs of families who gathered at the El Paso Zoo for a day full of activities and education organized by Together for Children, a non-profit public awareness campaign, and sponsored by several local organizations including the Fort Bliss Child Development Center. The day’s activities included free educational material, games, arts and crafts, a mini-march and musical entertainment. “The purpose of the event today was to create awareness that our children need quality health, education and safety,” said Cheryl Kelly, president and founder of Together for Children. “We’re here to stomp our feet, sing our message, provide free educational material, fun activities for the kids and to celebrate children in general.” A total of 26 different organizations donated their time and personnel to the event, which received more than $2,000 in donations, including $100 from the Fort Bliss Parent Council. Enough money was raised to let the first 1,000 people in free of charge, and every activity at the event was free as well. “I think it was absolutely wonderful that all these organizations came out. We had a wonderful turnout,” said Kelly. “We’re hoping to just bring awareness that children are precious and they should be put first.” As families began to pour into the zoo, booths were already set up for the children to try their hand at a ring toss game, design homemade glasses and hats and create one-of-a-kind marble paintings. Local musician Gary Dulabaum performed for the children and led the mini-march throughout the zoo, singing the song “Marching Together,” which was written for Together for Children. Lupe Adams, a CDC employee, was a volunteer at the event and said it was a success due to the large number of families in attendance. Adams, who has worked with children for 18 years, said the CDC has been involved with Together for Children for several years and every year they get more volunteers. “That’s our goal, to get more people out here and make them aware of the Month of the Child and what it stands for,” said Adams. Spc. Derek Christie, a Soldier from the 2nd Brigade, 6th Air Defense Artillery Battalion, attended the event with his wife Tamika and their 3-year-old daughter Nevaeh. Derek, who is new to El Paso, said at first he only went because his wife suggested it, but found the event had a lot to offer. “We wanted to get outdoors and see what El Paso is like,” said Derek. “There were a lot of different things out here to do, and my daughter was very excited about everything.” Friends Janet Delgado, 11, and Denisha Davidson, 12, attended the event together. “We both wanted to come because we were really looking forward to something new,” said Delgado. Kelly said the event also provided a chance for some families to come to the zoo when they couldn’t afford it otherwise and participate in activities they couldn’t otherwise participate in. “That, to me, was the biggest reward, besides trying to create awareness that children are special,” said Kelly.