Sunday is a special day for kids

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in collaboration with KidsPeace, and leading youth-serving, community and educational organizations, is spearheading National KidsDay®.

Celebrated the first Sunday each August, National KidsDay is described as "a day to celebrate and honor America’s children by giving the gift of meaningful time." This year’s celebration is Sun., Aug. 4.

The long-term goal is placement of National KidsDay on the national calendar.

This year, Laura Bush serves as the National KidsDay Honorary Chairperson. "I applaud Boys & Girls Clubs of America and KidsPeace for setting aside a day to honor and strengthen the relationship between adults and children," she said. "This is a day to reinforce that children matter-that their ideas and dreams are important and worthwhile.

I hope National KidsDay becomes one of the greatest days of the summer for America’s children."

TV personality and KidsPeace National Spokesperson, Leeza Gibbons, is supporting National KidsDay to encourage parents and others to spend more meaningful time with children. "National KidsDay is an opportunity to remind ourselves to give the gift of heartfelt time every day to the most important people in our lives," she said.

On Sun., Aug. 4, National KidsDay celebrations will take place in hundreds of communities nationwide.

In 2001, the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution proclaiming the first Sunday in August as National KidsDay. With their support, some 250,000 people celebrated at more than 500 events.

For more information about National KidsDay, visit www.kidsday.net or call (800) 854-CLUB.

No matter how you celebrate, spend meaningful time with a child on Aug. 4.

Research shows that when adults spend meaningful time with young people, it helps them develop a positive self-image and a sense of belonging. Those are presents that money can’t buy, but you can give.

The above article was provided courtesy of the North American Precis Syndicate.