November 1st, 2009 (Sedona, AZ) – On Saturday, November 7th, children, parents, grandparents and champions for children will stroll across the country and here in Sedona as part of a grass roots effort The Champions for Children’s Health Stroller Brigade. On November 4th, the first Stroller Brigade will storm the nation’s capitol with a series of nationwide brigades to follow throughout the weekend. Hundreds of thousands of “Champions for Children” will stroll simultaneously in numerous cities across the country to make their voices heard for all of America’s children. This nationwide event, coordinated by the Children’s Defense Fund, has received national publicity. Organizers hope to send a strong and clear message to Congress and President Obama that real health reform for children means accessible, affordable and comprehensive health coverage for all children—no matter where they live.
Congress is currently debating health reform legislation that could leave millions of children worse rather than better of and fails to fix bureaucratic, unfair barriers to care. The CDF mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves.
Although there is a strong safety net for children in this country, which includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), millions of children are consistently falling through the cracks. The health care system for children desperately needs to be strengthened and simplified. There are more than 8 million uninsured children in America – that’s one in ten. More than 2,200 children are born uninsured every day. Millions of families are losing employer-based coverage, struggling to afford health insurance premiums, or facing medical bills they can’t pay. Currently, two-thirds of uninsured children are eligible but complicated enrollment processes are slowing down the progress towards healthier children.
CDF is working with several national partners and has convened hundreds of groups and secured endorsements from almost 1,300 organizations representing more than 60 million people throughout the United States to champion principles for children and pregnant women. Guarantee every child and pregnant woman comprehensive health and mental health coverage this year – join the Sedona Stroller Brigade or go to http://www.childrensdefensefund.org right now and click on “Take Action” to send a letter to your Congressman or Congresswoman showing your support of our nation’s children.
The Sedona Stroller Brigade will begin at Sunset Park, located at 205 Sunset Dr., at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 7th. Please join your community members in showing support for children’s health – you don’t have to have a stroller or a child to participate! Supporters will meet at Sunset Park at 10:30 am and stroll at 11 a.m. to the intersection of Highway 89A and Sunset Drive then down to the intersection of 89a and Shelby Drive. Please bring family, friends, strollers, & walking shoes. You may also bring a sign to carry with a message personal to you. For more information please call Jessica Wrubel at 928-300-9684, visit http://www.sedonastrollerbrigade.wordpress.com or http://www.childrensdefensefund.org.
Posted on: November 2, 2009
Children have no other voice but yours.
Lift it high and loud and join our brigade.
In America, every child should have a healthy start in life!
Together we can make it happen.
COME PARTICIPATE IN THE SEDONA, ARIZONA STROLLER BRIGADE
Nov. 4 – Washington, DC | Nov. 6-8 – Across the Country
Join Us In Standing Together for Children: Congress is debating health reform legislation that could leave millions of children worse rather than better off and fails to fix bureaucratic, unfair barriers to care. This must be changed now!
What We Are Demanding: Congress and the President must support changes that provide comprehensive, affordable, accessible care for all children no matter where they live. Changes must build on what works in the system and fix what doesn’t work for children now.
Actions You Can Take: Join children, parents, grandparents and champions for children in a “stroll” to the Nation’s Capitol on November 4 or join stroller brigades in cities across the country November 5 through 8 to ensure that our children are not left behind in health care reform. Can’t join a stroller brigade in-person? You can also participate in our Virtual Stroller Brigade!
Be a Champion for Children’s Health Coverage by joining children, their families, and communities across the country in a grass roots effort, The Champions for Children’s Health Stroller Brigade. We will “stroll” in Sedona and make our voices heard for all of America’s children. By joining the stroller brigade you can send a strong and clear message to Congress and the President that real health reform for children means accessible, affordable and comprehensive health coverage for all children—no matter where they live. The Stroller Brigade will be taking place simultaneously in numerous cities across the country coordinated by the Children’s Defense Fund.
WHEN: Saturday, November 7th at 10:30 AM
WHERE Sunset Park
205 Sunset Drive (In West Sedona)
Please bring family, friends, strollers, & walking shoes. You may also bring a sign to carry with a message personal to you. We will provide some poster board & markers for families to make signs on site as well. Our “stroll” will begin at 11am walking from Sunset Park to the intersection of 89A & Sunset Drive. Half of the brigade can turn left on 89A continuing to the Shelby/89A intersection…placing ourselves at both intersections. Then retrace our “strolls” back to Sunset Park.
For More information about the Children’s Defense Fund & Nationwide Stroller Brigade go to:
The CDF mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves.
Posted on: November 2, 2009
Dear friends, family, and community members,
Please join me in a nationwide grass roots effort right here in Sedona to champion children’s health by participating in a Stroller Brigade on Saturday November 7th at Sunset Park. Join the Children’s Defense Fund and child advocates across the country to “stroll” and make our voices heard for all of America’s children. Brigades will be occurring simultaneously across the country. By joining the stroller brigade you can send a strong and clear message to Congress and the President that real health reform for children means accessible, affordable and comprehensive health coverage for all children. As a community, let’s let our nation know we are committed to the improvement of children’s healthcare. To learn more, see the attached flyer and fact sheet.
Here are four ways to take action and make a difference NOW:
1. Join us for a “Stroll” in the Sedona Stroller Brigade. Meet at Sunset Park on November 7th at 10:30am (See attached Flyer PDF for details)
2. Find out what you can do right now! Become a champion for children’s health by getting the word out to friends, family and colleagues (Including posting it on your facebook page and twitter).
http://www.childrensdefense.org/helping-americas-children/childrens-health/health-coverage-for-all-children-campaign/stroller-brigade/spread-the-word.html (ctrl+click to follow the link)
3. Send an urgent message to Congress through email, Facebook and Twitter and be a Champion for Children’s Health today!
http://www.childrensdefense.org/helping-americas-children/childrens-health/health-coverage-for-all-children-campaign/stroller-brigade/contact-congress.html (ctrl+click to follow the link)
4. Forward this email on to friends, family, and community members you know in the Verde Valley and across the country.
Children have no other voice but yours. Lift it high and loud and join our brigade. In America, every child should have a healthy start in life! Together we can make it happen.
Thank you for making a difference for our children.
Sincerely,
Jessica Wrubel
Sedona Stroller Brigade 