It was a busy morning for the Barton County Commission Monday. Commissioners adopted three proclamations – declaring Tuesday as County Day of Recognition for National Service, naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and naming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“America’s counties turn to national service and volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy to meet local needs,” said Linn Hogg, Volunteers in Action/RSVP executive director, when she addressed the commission. “In doing so, participants in national, state and local service organizations, such as the Volunteers in Action, Meals on Wheels, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program Medical Transportation, address the most pressing challenges facing cities and our nation.”

Hogg was talking about volunteer service, which is a linchpin for our community. 

There is also another type of service, that of helping others with traumatic needs brought about by the horrors of assault.

“Prevention remains the best defense,” Family Crisis Center Executive Director Laura Patzner said. She presented information on child abuse and sexual assault.

Patzner’s statistics were staggering.

The commission was right in honoring these organizations. Many in the county face hardships, be they home-bound and in need of a hot meal or suffering from the ravages of abuse.

The folks recognized make a difference.

Dale Hogg