Springfield Exchange hosts walk to prevent child abuse

Date: 3/28/2011

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Exchange will host the first Exchange for Smiles, a walk for the prevention of child abuse, on April 10 at Forest Park. Pre-registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk will begin at 11 a.m. Get family, friends, co-workers and anyone who cares about children to walk and help to make a difference for the children in the Greater Springfield area.

All money donated will be given back to the Western Massachusetts community for children and families. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

In Massachusetts alone, a child is reported abused or neglected every eight minutes; a child is born into poverty every three hours; and a child dies before his or her first birthday every day.

Exchange adopted child abuse prevention as its national project in 1979, establishing the Toledo-based National Exchange Club Foundation. More than 1.3 million children and 593,000 families have benefited from Exchange's efforts.

Exchange is active, concerned Americans uniting to serve America. One of the missions of Exchange is a nationwide child abuse prevention project that is helping countless children to lead normal, happy lives.

The Exchange Club is celebrating its 100th year. Springfield's chapter, a 501(c)3, is 90 years-old.