The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the National Child Safety Council’s Safetypup program this year.
The program promotes the importance of staying safe and drug free and will reach children ages 5 through 12 throughout the Rowan County area, the agency said in a news release.
The National Child Safety Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the safety and well-being of young children. It began the well-known program putting missing children on milk cartons in 1985.
The Safetypup mascot has appeared on milk cartons to promote online safety and drug prevention.
The Child Safety Council will provide the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office with diverse materials the department will use to teach young people how to stay safe and drug free, including internet safety.
The program also includes materials to heighten parent and guardian involvement and reinforce the messages at home with children.
The Sheriff’s Office is currently mailing letters to area businesses, industrial, military and fraternal organizations seeking financial support for the program. Sponsors names will be on the work-study manuals children receive.
“Other programs are available to our office, however, the council has up-to-date and diversified materials targeting specific areas that can affect the lives of our young children,” Sheriff Kevin Auten said in the news release.
To make a contribution to the program, make a check payable to the National Child Safety Council and mail it, to the attention of Sheriff Kevin Auten, to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, 232 N. Main St., Salisbury, NC 28144.