ELIZABETHTOWN — A first-year recognition award was presented recently to Sheriff James A. McVicker of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

The award was presented by Dale Royer from the National Child Safety Council in recognition of the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the NCSC/Safetypup® program over the past year. Safetypup® helps children learn and remember the basics of child safety. The diversified program allows the Sheriff’s Office to visit with our youngsters and teach children how to stay safe and drug free.

“NCSC is proud to bring the Safetypup® program to Bladen County. With the help of Sheriff McVicker and his office, we may help to prevent a needless tragedy from happening to a child,” stated Dale Royer, safety coordinator for the council.

The National Child Safety Council is a federal tax exempt 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization founded in 1954.

For more than 60 years the NCSC has helped law enforcement throughout 48 states coordinate effective child safety educational programs. The educator designed materials the Sheriff’s Offices receive each year are filled with games, pictures, puzzles, riddles, rhymes and songs. NCSC has developed a way to make the rules of safety, fun and easy to learn — it’s called Safetypup®! Safetypup® has become a safety hero and positive role model for our children. Safetypup®, a fun loving puppy, is a visible reminder to stay safe and drug free. His teaching is not threatening to the children.

The materials reach youngsters at their age level and target topics that can and do affect their everyday lives.

“I feel the NCSC/Safetypup® program helps make safe living fun,” said Sheriff McVicker. “We enjoy visiting the children each year, and never tire of seeing the enthusiasm of the children when they meet Safetypup®. With every group of children the reaction is different, both the children and educator staff enjoy the program.

“The Safetypup® program is financially supported through the generous contributions of our business, industrial, civic, fraternal, and veteran leaders,” McVicker explained. “Their concern and dedication to the safety and well being of our young people helps our program to continue each year. Recognition to all those who support the program are given on the prestige pages of all work / study manuals. We appreciate the support we have received over the past year.”

The Sheriff’s Office is currently mailing letters requesting contributions to the 2015-2016 program. The program will begin this fall.

Anyone who would like to be included as a sponsor and help support this worthwhile program please feel free to send your donation. Please make your checks payable to the National Child Safety Council amnd a contribution may be mailed to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at P.O. Box 396, Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337-0396, attention Sheriff James A. McVicker.

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