The Fifth-Grade students of Holly Grove Elementary School were invited to attend the first public reading of a Proclamation declaring May 25, 2010 the first Missing Children’s Day, issued by Governor Perdue.

The Proclamation was attended by the Holly Springs Police Chief, many HS Officers, the Fire Department, and NC State Troopers. The Proclamation was read by Mrs. Rhonda Raney, Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Crime Control and Public Safety.

First Sergeant Steven Green, Director NC Center for Missing Persons was the emcee for the program.

Sergeant Green is a NC State Trooper, a Holly Springs resident and father of a child at Holly Grove Elementary. He reminded the children how important they are and how we, as adults, are protecting them.

Ms. Nona Everette, Missing Persons Supervisor, NC Center for Missing Persons engaged the children with easy actions about keeping themselves safe. The three simple steps are; Keep Safe your personal information, names, addresses, phone number and pictures private. Keep Away from strangers, in person and on the Internet. Keep Telling your parents/adults if someone or something makes you uncomfortable. It is OK to say NO, in a loud forceful way.

We all can prevent child abductions by knowing where children play, who their friends are and talking with them about safety at home, school and on the Internet. Governor Perdue encouraged all citizens to participate in the observance by taking the time to talk to your child about safety. These simple steps can be taught to even the youngest of children.

You can read the full Proclamation at: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/ProclamationDetail.aspx?newsItemID=1129