Child Advocacy Day
Aeries and auxiliaries are encouraged to host a Child Advocacy Day on May 1 of each year. This program is supported by the Grand Aerie and works to recognize the efforts local members put forth to honor youth of their communities.
Child Advocacy Day is a fun day for youth to enjoy and the community to educate and protect their children. The aerie and auxiliary schedule programs around safety, protection, prevention and other health and welfare activities. Events of the day may include fire safety in conjunction with the local fire department, DARE and other programs supported by the local police department, and finger printing, public and internet safety programs supported by other officials.
May 1 was selected Child Advocacy Day in honor of Past Grand Worthy President Edward F. Poss's claim that May 1 be recognized as Child Health Day in all aeries and auxiliaries. If May 1 is not available, child advocacy events held on any day between August 1 of the previous year and May 1 of the current year are still eligible for the competition.
Recognizing Local Aeries and Auxiliaries
Aeries and Auxiliaries participating in the Child Advocacy program are encouraged to submit an application to compete for an engraved plaque (to be displayed at the Aerie home) and a $3,000 Jimmy Durante Children's Fund grant to support of the youth activities within their local community.
Submission should include documentation on the event, including photos, newspaper clippings or radio announcements, recognition from local fire and police departments, recognition from local drug and child abuse programs, and other supporting material. Submit documentation to the Grand Aerie Programs department for judging and selection by June 1, 2008. All participating aeries and auxiliaries will receive a Certificate of Participation signed by the grand worthy and grand madam presidents.
How do we get started?
- Ask the Aerie & Auxiliary Presidents to appoint a chairperson along with a committee.
- Set a date. We suggest May 1st or early May.
- Contact various agencies and inquire as to what type of programs they may offer.
- Department of Public Safety
- Local Police Department
- Fire Department
- Chamber of Commerce
- Boy/Girl Scouts
- Advertise the event as much as you can and get the word out, contact:
- Radio stations
- Television stations
- Newspapers
- Print flyers and distribute them at elementary schools, day care centers.
- What Kind of activities should we plan?
- Photo ID Sessions
- Finger Printing Program
- Fire & home safety
- Drug awareness program
- Drug abuse program
- Bicycle Safety
- Gun Safety
- Water Safety
- First Aid education Tell us about your day
- Take photos and let us know what your Aerie and Auxiliary Child Advocacy Day Program
consisted of. Don't forget to include any newspaper articles.
Submissions must be in the hands of the Grand Aerie Program Department no later
than June 1, 2009.
What is done with the submissions?
The Grand Worthy President along with the Child Advocacy Committee will review all
submissions. The Aerie/Auxiliary with the best program will receive:
- Plaque to hang in your Aerie/Auxiliary
- Recognition at the Grand Aerie Convention
- Recognition in the Eagle Magazine
- A $3,000 grant from the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund*
*Grant recipient must qualify under the regulations that govern our Eagle Charities.
Why should our Aerie and Auxiliary host a Child Advocacy Day?
- To show your community, Eagles are People Helping People.
- Fraternal Order of Eagles making a difference in our Local Community
- Promotes good will between the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Members of the community,
Law enforcement and Firefighters
Submit what your Aerie/Auxiliary has done for Child Advocacy Day. One winner will
be chosen and receive a plaque and recognition at the Grand Aerie Convention, the
Eagle Magazine, and the FOE Web site.