BY JOHN JOHNSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
From an attempted child abduction to the rape of a boy in a department store restroom, news reports tell of bad things happening to kids. Willie Jones takes it personally. "That could have been my child," the Avondale father of four says.
He has begun a project called Leave Our Kids Alone to increase safety awareness for children and parents. It will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Max C. Fleischmann Boys & Girls Club, 3504 Washington Ave., Avondale, where Mr. Jones is a volunteer.
The Cincinnati firefighter, recognized earlier this year as one of the top Boys & Girls Club volunteers nationally, is encouraging families to attend the program, which will include:
- Talks by Cincinnati police on ways parents can protect their children.
- Demonstrations of fire safety equipment by Cincinnati firefighters.
- Child-identification programs. Volunteers and Cincinnati police will take photos and fingerprints, and Blockbuster Video will videotape children.
- Game booths with prizes.
Organizers are looking for donations. For information, call Mr. Jones, 691-0096, or the Fleischmann Boys & Girls Club, 961-3113.
