Love Our Children USA and
Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
Partner To Make Holidays Special
For Foster Children

Left to right: Rashell Thompson, Brenda Campbell, Assistant District Attorney Crimes Against Children Bureau Frank Urzi, Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Love Our Children USA, Kings County District Attorney Charles ynes, District Attorney and Chief Crimes Against Children Bureau, Ama Dwimoh, Yvonne Pritchett, Assistant District Attorney/Crimes Against Children Bureau, Catherine Dagonese, Lucia Battaglia

JAY STREET - On Friday afternoon, Santa delivered gifts to about 30 children who have been crime victims in Brooklyn. For the seventh year in a row, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office collected gifts and distributed them to children who may not receive any other holiday presents.

The program is co-sponsored by "Love Our Children USA," a Manhattan-based organization for abused children that donated a cake for Friday's party and many of the presents.

The DA's Crimes Against Children Bureau invited about 60-65 children this year, and half responded. Only children whose cases have been disposed of - whether through a trial verdict or a plea are invited.

Bureau representatives emphasized that the cases have to be closed, so that the kids' testimony is not influenced by toys they received or presents they might win.

"The holidays are especially hard for these children," said Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of Love Our Children U.S.A. Most of the children were victimized and abused by family members, loved ones who are now in jail serving substantial sentences for their crimes.

Ellis's kid-friendly website, www.loveourchildrenusa.org, offers information for parents and kids about everything from terrorism to shaken baby syndrome and child abuse. According to the website, over three million children are victims of child abuse each year in cases reported in the United States, and almost 1.8 million children are reported missing. Child abuse kills more than three children every day in the United States, Ellis reports.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, you can make an anonymous report, and get it checked out. Giving the child's name, age, address, parent's names and any other pertinent information will greatly help the child in the investigation.

To report child abuse, call the toll-free hotlines: The National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453; in New York (800) 342-3720. To report child abuse or any other crime in Brooklyn, call the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office: 718-250-2340.