The problem of child abuse is often difficult to see, and generating awareness can be difficult to do. By using the Blue Candle of Hope campaign during the holidays, you can encourage those in your community to show support for children everywhere.

Simply purchase an electric or battery-operated candle and a blue bulb. Place your candle in the window of a home or business and make a statement that children must be honored, loved, and cherished.

Encourage everyone on your block or all the offices in your building to show their support, as well. Ask local churches to display a blue candle during their holiday services and to make a special note in the bulletin about the significance of the blue candle.

To generate publicity, post flyers in stores that carry holiday decorations as well as in supermarkets, day care centers, restaurants, churches, etc. By calling local radio stations, your club can also air public service announcements (PSAs) promoting your campaign. A news release to the local paper can also help to get your message out. It would be useful to send flyers to schools, as well, so children learn the significance of the blue candle.

Working with your city government leaders, arrange a candle vigil in your downtown or at a special place in your community. Publicize this by sending out news releases well in advance of the vigil to all local media. Send out announcements to all churches, synagogues, schools, and community groups. Post flyers with information at local supermarkets, YMCAs, day care centers, doctors’ offices, and hospitals.

This candle vigil will be a great way to involve the entire community in your fight against child abuse. This type of event attracts television stations, which means your message could reach beyond your city limits to their entire viewing audience.