PLYMOUTH, MA -- (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) in partnership with the Exchange Clubs of the Merrimack Valley who sponsor the Michael B. Christensen Family Support Center announce Massachusetts Senator Steven A. Baddour as keynote and International Best Selling Author Richard Pelzer as special guest speaker at the 7th annual Blue Ribbon Kick-Off breakfast. The annual breakfast will be held at the Wyndham Hotel ­ Andover, Massachusetts - 123 Old River Road ­ Andover, MA 01810 at 7:30 AM Friday April 8 ­ 2005.

Richard Pelzer ­ author of the international best seller "A Brother's Journey" and soon to be released - "A Teenager's Journey" will be one of the two speakers at the annual breakfast. Keynote speaker will be Massachusetts Democratic Senator Steven A. Baddour who represents - Haverhill - Newburyport - Amesbury - Merrimac - Methuen - North Andover, precincts 1, 4, 6 and 8, and Salisbury.

For the past several years the blue ribbon has been widely recognized as a national symbol of child abuse awareness. This movement began in the spring of 1989 - when a concerned grandmother - Bonnie Finney - of Norfolk, Va. took a stand against child abuse after experiencing the death of her grandson. She tied a symbolic blue ribbon to her van as a signal to her community of her personal commitment to involve everyone in the battle to stop child abuse. Bonnie's own grandson was a tragic - young victim - and his death gave her the strength to encourage others to help in the fight against child abuse and neglect. The spirit of her blue ribbon grew and it inspired a statewide community based effort to join forces in this tragic battle.

Today - the blue ribbon symbolizes the more than 3.2 million abused children reported each year to Child Protective Services (CPS) throughout the United States.

During the month of April - Child Abuse Prevention Month - nearly 1,100 Exchange Clubs and Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers conduct a Blue Ribbon campaign in their communities across America.

Richard Pelzer confirmed his enthusiasm for the National Exchange Club and the efforts of local organization such as the GLCAC and the Michael B. Christensen Family Support Center in the form of a monetary donation ­ to be announced. Richard Pelzer has been secured by several organizations as a quest speaker of child abuse prevention and awareness.


For additional information and photos visit: www.richardpelzer.com.