By P. CHRISTINE SMITH

Staff reporter

Reports of suspected child abuse are on the rise on Whidbey Island, but one organization is working to prevent the tragedy of the scarring of little bodies and young minds.

April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Awareness Month and Whidbey Island’s Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, Inc. is using some creative means to bring attention to the problem and to stop abuse before it happens.

Community members, including children, from throughout Island County are taking part in the prevention efforts. Some, including two Oak Harbor residents, are being recognized by CAPF for their work and creativity.

Kylie Kuzina, a student at Oak Harbor Middle School, is the winner of this year’s poem and essay contest, part of Whidbey Island’s celebration “of children and our future,” spear-headed by CAPF. A drawing contest, a poem and essay contest, and the presentation of a $500 Honor Our Children Award, given to a community member that has brought forth exceptional effort in the prevention of child abuse, kicks off the annual campaign.

Throughout the month of April, CAPF intends to use the student artwork and poetry in materials to spread the word about child abuse prevention.

This year’s winning poster is by Natalie Wheeler, a 5th-grader at Langley Christian School. Wheeler’s artwork has been made into a poster, which will be displayed in island businesses and in advertisements and flyers. Child abuse prevention activities will continue with activities through the Holland Happening parade, when the group will “March Against Child Abuse.”

Bonnie Linscott honors children

Oak Harbor resident Bonnie Linscott received CAPF’s fourth annual “Honor Our Children” award this month, for her work “to raise public awareness of the reality of child abuse,” said a CAPF press release. She was nominated for the award by the Whidbey Island Chapter of Federally Employed Women, which said, in part, that Linscott “continually acts upon ways to promote the prevention of child abuse on Whidbey Island.”

Linscott arranged for a series of community meetings over the past year led by author and child abuse survivor Dave Pelzer. Additionally, she helped to start the MAD CAP Fun Run. MAD CAP stands for Moms and Dads Child Abuse Prevention.

“After I read his book and found out he did public speaking and the fact that he was able to overcome what he was subjected to … I just knew that there were kids here who needed to hear what he had to say,” said Linscott of the three visits from Pelzer she arranged.

Linscott is an employee of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Fleet & Family Service Center. Her work in child abuse prevention is both on a professional level and through volunteering her personal time.

“I hope to be able to help out,” Linscott said, “certainly any time that it is possible to volunteer.”

If given a chance

Child Abuse Prevention Foundation chose Kylie Kuzina’s entry as the winner of this year’s essay and poetry contest. Kuzina is a student at Oak Harbor Middle School.

Everyone Deserves a Chance

by Kylie Kuzina

Everyone deserves a chance

Everyone deserves the love

of two parents who love each other.

Every child deserves a chance

To know that a parent’s arms

are meant for hugs, not slugs.

Everyone deserves the chance

that I have been given!