Together we can put an end to it

Did you know that in the United States, there are an estimated 460,000 children that are reported missing every year? (Global Missing Kids.org). While almost all children reported missing in America come home alive, there is a small number who are abducted by strangers who don’t always have that type of luck. “An average of 57% of them come home alive and 40% percent are killed. The rest remain open cases,” according to Reuters.com.

National Missing Children’s Day was commemorated in the U.S by President Ronald Reagan on May 25, 1983. The date was chosen to honor Etan Patz, a six year old in New York who disappeared on that day in 1979 on his way to school (Time and Date.com) This day is dedicated to the children and families who have been affected by a child going missing, whether they have made it home alive, passed away, or are still missing.

It is important to keep this National Day alive and bring awareness to avoid having children go missing. There are about 2,300 children reported missing every day in the United States (Child Find of America.org). This day serves as a reminder to make child safety and well-being a priority in our communities.

One of the ways we can come together as a community to bring awareness is by sharing the posters we see. There are many boards dedicated to missing children posters. Taking the Take-25 pledge to talk to children about safety is another way to help protect your younger siblings or nieces and nephews. Keep an eye out on the children in your family and neighborhood, helping them make good choices online and with their friends. Also, be sure you have the Amber Alert enabled on your phone to keep you alerted if there is a child missing in your area.

If you would like to honor the children and families that Child Find serves with a special National Missing Children’s Day gift, click here. Help us bring more missing children home.