Beech Tree News Network

On April 21st, members of the community gathered on the courthouse lawn to bring awareness to child abuse and foster care advocacy. 

Family Court Judge Mike McKeown joined Mayor Billy Phelps and Judge Executive Tim Flener in proclaiming April as national child abuse prevention month. These officials joined community members in a community walk around the courthouse, and refreshments were served.

Sarah Duncan welcomed guest speaker Lori Gafford, Location Leader for Isaiah 117 House. The Isaiah 117 House serves Logan, Simpson, and Butler County. Their organization’s focus is to serve children and families in Kentucky providing community support and placement assistance. 

Gafford reported that Kentucky has approximately 8,813 children in foster care and urges communities to actively engage and advocate to protect children from abuse. 

Gafford also shared the Bonnie Finney story, which serves as the origin of the blue ribbon movement. The movement began in the spring of 1989 in Norfolk, Virginia. After the death of Bonnie Finney’s grandson, Michael Wayne “Bubba” Dickinson, Bonnie tied a symbolic blue ribbon to her vehicle as a personal commitment and public sign to stop child abuse. Local restaurants, businesses, police, radio, and TV supported the awareness campaign, which then expanded statewide. 

The blue ribbon provokes curiosity, starts conversations, and sustains community awareness and commitment to protect children. The color blue was chosen to serve as a constant visual reminder, as bruises often darken and become blue.