This Saturday, June 9th, marks the 17th anniversary of when Morgan Nick was abducted from a Little League baseball field while she was catching fireflies.  The Morgan Nick Foundation is asking everyone to honor Morgan’s memory by catching 17 fireflies and posting a picture on their Facebook page.

This is a way to let Morgan’s family know how many people are thinking about her and sending positive thoughts of HOPE to help bring Morgan home.  If there are no fireflies in your area they are encouraging individuals to take a moment to think of her and her family, and light a candle of hope for her.

We at the Benton Police Department feel this event is not only a time of remembrance, but it’s also the perfect time to transition into speaking with your own children about their personal safety.  Education is the empowering tool to help combat child abductions and crimes against children from ever occurring in the first place.

For useful information and publications about this issue please visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website at: www.missingkids.com or the Take 25 website at: www.take25.org which provides information on taking 25 minutes to speak with your children about dangers children face.

To further protect your children you can obtain a child identification kit at the Benton Police Department, while supplies last, by calling 776-5948 or stopping by.  Catching fireflies is such an iconic childhood pleasure so let’s work together to keep all children safe and joyful.

Sources: www.morgannickfoundation.com, Fireflies for Morgan Facebook Page