By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – April is child abuse awareness month, and one local agency is trying to raise funds through blue umbrellas.

The Child Protection Network, the fundraising branch of the CASA program, helps children when there has been an allegation that a child may have witnessed a significant crime, been physically abused, or been sexually abused.

Samantha Stevenson with the Network hopes the Blue Umbrella campaign helps raise awareness for those in need.

“This is kind of a new fun one that we are doing this year. We always participate in the April awareness program. Typically, this month in April, you will see blue ribbons around town, you’ll see pinwheels in different gardens, but this year we are implementing the blue umbrellas.

“We have a list of businesses and restaurants, who have agreed to participate with the Child Protection Network, and how this works is that as you’re going to visit these businesses, you can ask for a little small drink blue umbrella. You donate a dollar; they will give you the umbrella, and then there will be hashtags that you can share your story with and experiences with the restaurants you are at.”

Stevenson, who spoke with WJBC’s Marc Strauss, added that so far, five Bloomington-Normal businesses are participating in the campaign.

“We have five that have already agreed to go. We have Gill Streets Sports Bar, The Mystic kitchen, Parkview Inn, Keg Grove, (and) Station Saloon. Hopefully, we will have some more added to that list, and we will provide that list on our website. Go into any of these local business and ask to have one of those blue drink umbrellas, and you will be supporting a great cause.”

Last year, the organization provided services for 112 children, which is higher than the previous year.

You can find a list of participating locations here:

https://mcleancountyil.gov/125/Child-Advocacy-Center-CAC-CASA

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].