Show Next month communities across the US will take pail in National KidsDay anoualNatknal KidsDay nofptntoudcootouoiKUfeo-wit- ' them You too can heb r h onry chairperson of this year s event encourages evoy family to join the celebration "This is a day to reinforce that children matter —Out flieir ideas and dreams are important” die First Lady' : OVON TORRES KNOWS what it’s like not to have an says “I hope National KidsDay becomes one of the greatest days of the ‘ summer for America’s children” Roxanne Spillett president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America knows that one day can--S not change every child's 'life bat adult looking out for him from Sacra- Die 1 never mento Calif met his father and saw less than he liked of his mother who worked long hours in addition to caring for his little brother By the time he became a teenager Torres was barely attending school and facing a future that looked hopeless Then he met ah adult mentor named Adrian Williams at his local Boys & Girls Club where he went to play has- - I she’d like National KidsDay to be a ketball Everything changed With Williams’ inspiration Torres applied himself at school got a part-tim- e job and that even adults purchased a car This spring Torres completed his first year at Sacramento City College where he’s studying to become a youth counselor fonts is proud of his accomplishments but knows he wouldn’t have turned his life around without a mentor like Williams That’s why he's determined to help other kids like die lost boy he once you by organizing events for a celebra- their kids may be tion called National KidsDay “People say ‘Every day is kids’ day’ ” Tbrres explains “but that’s not really true So many kids these days don’t get what they need from adults A lot of our parents are working and stressed-outan- d don’t have time to look out for us” National KidsDay— the first Sunday in August — was launched in 2001 by Boys &Giris Clubs of America Kids- Peace and a coalition of other organizations to make sure that for one day they’re spending meaningful time with their kids because they take them beginning: “We wink to educate the public that— with our busy Lx at least America's children get the attention they deserve Fbr last year’s inaugural National : over-schedul- ed lives to- day— meaning-fu- l time between adults and kids is becoming too rue a commodity” Spillett explains who think tiiey are spending time with mistaken She points to a recent study sponsored by Boys & Girls Chibs which found that children and adults define “meaningful time” differently iron may nmuc along whiletheyYe doing errands” she says Hut kids say mere physical pres- KidsDay thousands of towns across the country hddceldxationshi Sacnunemo Jovbn lores planned activities for more dun 500 kids and adults from a pieeatr ingcontesttokparadetoabiphop dance competition Right now he’s busy organizing this year’s Celebration: “You’d be amazed” Ibtres says “how much one day dedicated to achilts showing kids they’re appreciated can uplift people and bring families together” “One of the greatest days’ : On Sunday Aug 4 communities all over America will kick off die second ence isn’t enough Children need an adidtY total focus and engagement” rlhat’s why a day dedicated entirely to rpialityidultchild interaction is such a good idea say experts such as Harvard chiU psychiatric DtAhrin Foussaint continued r -- yy y-- CT 1 i n aooa ' “ mmdb maoumb ’’ |