Treat Kids and Vote Day - October 31
Event: Distribution of Halloween bags with materials and information for parents.
Date: Month of October leading up to Halloween.
Description: If you have an event or activity where you can distribute our Halloween bags with a GOTV message, please let us know.  »More information

Get Out The Vote - Oct 16 - Nov 4
Event: GOTV trainings and planning for Election Day
Date: October 16th - November 4th
Description: Ongoing trainings and training opportunities are being developed to provide organizations and individuals with ways to get involved with GOTV work on the day of the election. We want to also think about ways to keep ECM out in the public and media through doable activities leading up to, and on, November 4.  

Voter Pledge Cards - ongoing
Event: Filling out and collecting Voter Pledge Cards
Date: Now through November 4th
Description: We are asking registered or soon-to-be-registered voters to sign Voter Pledge Cards. The voter will agree to keep children's issues in mind when voting for candidates in elections.

Presidential Debate at Hofstra University

On October 15, before the final Presidential Debate at Hofstra University, Every Child Matters secured a prime spot at the designated "Free Speech Area" outside the campus in Hempstead, just east of New York City on Long Island. This was an ideal location to speak with many people about children's issues in the election—and to be spotted by the campaign staff for John McCain and Barack Obama. Indeed, after the rally when the debate at Hofstra was under way, we were thrilled to see moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS News ask questions directly related to our issues. 

Along with the on-the-ground activities, people from across the country were sending email messages to Bob Schieffer encouraging him to ask Senators Obama and McCain what they would do to help children. As the long grassroots effort by Every Child Matters winds down to November 4, children's issues finally broke through the election coverage on a nationally-televised debate! »See the video and transcript

Town Hall Meeting at Children's Museum

The day before the debate, Every Child Matters sponsored a town hall meeting of its own.  Starting in the morning with a press conference, advocates and children then gathered in the afternoon at the Long Island Children's Museum to discuss social, educational, and health problems facing children and the programs and policies to alleviate them.  About 400 children, and some adults, learned about the electoral process and participated in mock voting. The kids also had fun creating art work, the highlight of which was tracing hands for a wall display at the Museum.  They made an astounding 25,676 individual hand traces for a massive wall display to signify the importance of children in politics and society.

Step Up for Kids Day

The Step Up for Kids events at the Legislative buildings in Nassau County were well attended by children and families and supporters.  We received a Nassau County Executive proclamation from Marilyn Gotlieb on behalf of Tom Suozzi and a legislative proclamation from the entire Nassau County legislative body. 

In Suffolk County, we received a County Executive proclamation from Steve Levy. Many people also turned-out to the legislative meeting with their kids, where we received a proclamation from the entire Suffolk County legislative body recognizing Step Up for Kids Day and the work of the Every Child Matters.

»News report by Public News Service - audio