February 2009 Themes for Community Outreach
Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time when the contributions of African Americans throughout history are highlighted in the media and in school curriculums. Why not use Black History Month as a platform to showcase African Americans in your area who are providing a greater sense of community and security among their neighbors through participation in Citizen Corps activities. Consider coordinating your efforts with local reporters, schools, places of worship and senior centers, by offering to write newspaper columns or conduct assemblies/guest lectures on the role African Americans have and are playing in shaping this country, your community, and in supporting your local Citizen Corps. There are many websites, such as FamilyEducation that have information and materials to help with your research.
'Go Direct' Month
Each year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks sponsor Go Direct Month, a campaign to motivate people who receive federal benefit checks to sign up for direct deposit. For those who depend on the mail for their Social Security benefits, a difficult situation can become worse if they are evacuated or lose their mail service – as 85,000 check recipients learned after Hurricane Katrina, and thousands more learned in 2008 during Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike. Switching to electronic payment is one simple, significant way people can protect themselves before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. More information, including the Go Direct Disaster Preparedness Toolkit, talking points, and web banners, is available at http://www.godirect.org/partners/Disaster_Preparedness.cfm.
February 1-7, 2009: National Burn Awareness Week
According to the Cincinnati Shriners Hospital, more than two million people are burned each year in the U.S. During this week, consider distributing burn prevention tips to schools for posting in classrooms. Additionally, you might want to offer to have Citizen Corps leaders speak to local schools, senior centers, or places of worship to distribute burn prevention tips, which will also help raise awareness of the full range of Citizen Corps activities. For more information visit the Shriners Hospitals for Children: Burn Awareness page.