The Nurse-Family Partnership Program at the Combest Center and the C.A.R.E. Center, in conjunction with the South Plains Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention, is asking Lubbock residents to wear blue on Friday (April 4) on behalf of the more than 1,500 Lubbock children who become victims of child abuse and neglect each year.

Every day in Lubbock County an average of four children become victims of abuse and neglect, according to the South Plains Coalition for Child Abuse and Prevention. The majority of these children are age 3 and under.

This year’s goal is to have at least 40,000 Lubbock residents participate in the 4for4 challenge to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect.

To participate, email lubbock4for4@yahoo.com on or before April 4 and describe who you are and how many will be in your “blue group.” The results will be reported to see whether this year’s goal has been met or exceeded.

Visit http://www.liveunitedlubbock.org/GoBlue/ or the coalition’s Facebook page to watch the progress of 4for4 and see results or post a picture of your “blue group.”

For more information on child abuse and prevention efforts at the Combest Center, contact Lisa Dillard, R.N., MSN, Nurse-Family Partnership supervisor, at 743-9672 or lisa.dillard@ttuhsc.edu