ARGILLITE — Dozens of children spent a day in the park bonding with their dads, grandfathers, uncles and other male role models on Saturday.
The Community Coalition for Children, a network of social service agencies in the FIVCO Ad District, sponsored the event, which included free fishing, boat rides, miniature golf and a picnic lunch at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park.
The day of fun was aimed at showing the importance of the bond between children and their male role models in an effort to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect, said Kelly Adkins, program director of NECCO, a therapeutic foster care agency that serves children in the Tri-State area. She said the event was paid for with a grant the coalition had received.
South Ashland Family Resource Center Director Jerri Willis said the coalition decided to focus on fathers and male role models because of the unique and important role they play in a child’s life.
“We know nationally the importance of fatherhood not only in the prevention of child abuse and neglect but also in regards to helping to raise children, giving them good role models and helping them to do better in school,” Willis said.
“We know from national research that when dads are involved they (children) attend school more frequently, they have less problems with the juvenile court system, they have more of a tendency to make better grades in school and graduate, so the idea is to keep dads involved in positive ways to be good role models for their children and to make sure they are building that relationship,” said Willis.
“We have so many children that don’t have fathers in their homes, that we extended the invitation to any male role model who wanted to come with them whether it was a granddad or an uncle or a person in the neighborhood who is important in their lives,” she added.
Kevin Preston Jr., 9, and his father, Kevin Preston, 41, of Ashland were one of the more than 150 families enjoying a relaxing day at the park together. The pair had already been swimming and fishing and was planning to go on a hike with some of Kevin Preston Jr.’s other siblings after lunch.
“They’ve done a real good thing here. I think this will help a lot of people,” said Kevin Preston.
Huck Litz, 30, and his son Anthony, 7, both of Olive Hill were preparing to go fishing on Saturday. Anthony Litz said the pair played corn hole earlier in the day and “I drove a boat,” he added.
Anthony Litz said he asked his dad to bring him to the event, “to spend time with him.” “Sometimes, he’s always working,” he said.
“It’s been a good day. Really fun,” said Huck Litz.
CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.
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