The 2002 Power

Parade, sponsored by the Fayette Youth Protection Home, is in full swing

this week.

The theme is

"United We Walk in Power!" and roughly 8,000 elementary school

students are involved. They will canvas neighborhoods and businesses for

donations to help abused children who live in the Friday and Johnson group

homes in Fayette County.

Flat Rock Middle

School's Beta Club, co-authors of this year's theme, will also participate

in the fund-raising effort by asking for spare change from fellow classmates

in an effort they have named "Change to Change a Child's Life."

The week of

events highlights Child Abuse Prevention Month, which has been observed

nationally each April for the past 19 years. In Fayette County, schools

and churches use the time to focus on positive parenting and education

in stopping the cycle of abuse.

The parades

are held and organized in each elementary school by the physical education

teachers, who use the event to teach volunteerism and the lifelong health

benefits of walking.