Congratulations to Jane Munroe and Karen Sagert, winners of our Applebee’s gift cards! If there is any cause that tugs at my heartstrings, it is child abuse prevention. And April just happens to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Applebee’s just kicked off its sixth annual “Bee a Sucker for Kids!” campaign to support Tennyson Center for Children, one of the Rocky Mountain region’s leading treatment and education centers for abused, neglected and at-risk youth.

Continuing through May 3, Applebee’s guests are invited to “Bee a Sucker for Kids!” and make a donation in the amount of their choice to Tennyson Center. Donors will receive a paper cut-out in the shape of a sucker that they can write their name on and hang on a wall in the restaurant.

Applebee’s has been raising funds for Tennyson Center through its “Bee a Sucker for Kids!” campaign every April – National Child Abuse Prevention Month – since 2003. It has donated more than $243,000 to the organization. This year, the restaurant chain hopes to raise an additional $65,000 to add to that sum.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 905,000 children were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect in 2006 (the most recent year for which such statistics are available). In Colorado alone in 2006, approximately 67,000 children were reported abused or neglected and referred for investigation. The children served by Tennyson Center have, on average, been in 5.8 placements outside of their home, which can adversely affect a child’s mental health, ability to attach and overall development. However, research on risk and resilience demonstrates that children who have been abused can overcome adversity and thrive when they receive protection, treatment and access to positive influences and support.

All 27 Applebee’s locations across the state of Colorado are participating in this year’s “Bee a Sucker for Kids!” fundraiser. Mile High Mamas is happy to give away two Applebee’s gift cards worth $25 each. To enter, simply email us at . Please include your mailing address. Contest deadline is April 14, 2009.

Please be sure to visit Applebee’s this month to donate to this great cause!

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