This April, the Exchange Club of Statesboro is hosting its annual observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, bringing together not only community leaders but also families to raise awareness and support. This year's kickoff was a two-part event, featuring the Picnic in the Park in downtown Statesboro on Tuesday, April 1, followed by the Community Picnic at the 7th Mile Farm on Saturday, April 5.
At the heart of both events was the Exchange Club’s mission of preventing child abuse and supporting youth across the county. Christina Harrell, a member of the Exchange Club, explained, “April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, so we had our Picnic in the Park to kick off the month and turn the Fountain blue.”
The symbolic act of turning downtown Statesboro's fountain blue set the tone for a month focused on awareness and community unity.
Over the weekend, families from across Bulloch County gathered under the warm spring sun for the Exchange Club of Statesboro’s annual Community Picnic, a community event that blended fun, family, and a powerful message.
Held on a sunny Saturday, the Community Picnic event transformed a local park into a hub of activity, laughter, and outreach. This event wasn’t just a picnic—it was a celebration. Kids raced across grassy fields in search of brightly colored Easter eggs during the Easter egg hunt, squealed with joy as they played lawn games, zipped through the field on the zip line, and stood in line for a chance to snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, who made a cheerful appearance to the delight of young visitors.
Laughter rang out as families enjoyed lunch together, creating new memories and reinforcing the strong bonds that community events like this are designed to foster.
“It’s all about inviting the community out to help us celebrate and connect,” Harrell said. “And we work with many great organizations—Safe Haven, the Teal House, CASA, the foster care system, and more. Everything we do is to help kids in our community.”
Amid the excitement, one colorful attraction stood out—a retrofitted school bus with bright illustrations and books. The Book Bus, a mobile literacy project from Bulloch County Schools' Literacy Council, was one of the vendors present at the event, and it drew in children and parents alike.
Sharika Wilkie, a volunteer with the Book Bus, shared how the initiative began. “This is the Bulloch County Schools Book Bus with the Literacy Council. All the books on the bus are free. Students donate some, and others are provided through a grant,” she said.
The Book Bus has become a symbol of reading access and educational support in the community, making appearances at local events to distribute books for children of all ages. “We have books for everyone—ages zero to five, picture books for first through third grade, upper-grade books for fourth through sixth, and even some for high school,” Wilkie noted.
Events like the Exchange Club’s picnic provide the perfect venue for the Book Bus to reach children in an engaging and festive environment. “Since this is a kid-friendly and family-oriented event, it made perfect sense to bring the bus here. It’s a great way to give out books and promote literacy,” she added.
The Book Bus’s mission aligns seamlessly with the Exchange Club’s goals of empowering young people and building stronger families. With free books and smiling faces, the bus became more than just a vendor at the event; it was an integral part of the experience, reinforcing the idea that learning and joy can go hand in hand. Volunteering is welcome for those interested in supporting the Book Bus. “Anyone who wants to get involved can contact Crystal Simpkins, the Director of Early Learning for Bulloch County Schools,” Wilkie explained.
Back at the picnic, as children flipped through the pages of their new books and proudly showed them to their parents, it was clear the day had accomplished its goal. From awareness about child abuse prevention to hands-on support for literacy, the community came together to show that when we work in unison, we can make a real difference.
Looking ahead, the Exchange Club is planning more community outreach, including pop-up events and a fall bowling tournament that raises funds for child abuse prevention. And wherever children and families gather, chances are, the Book Bus won’t be far behind—doors open, shelves full, and ready to inspire the next young reader.
