A few months ago we reintroduced Child Find to the pages of Truck News. I’m sure you are all aware of the service they perform, locating missing children and reuniting them with their loved ones.

Since its inception in 1983 when five-year-old Tania Murrell of Edmonton went missing on her way home from school, Child Find has located literally thousands of children from coast-to-coast, clear across the country.

But the thing I love most about this group is the fact they constantly push harder to increase involvement from the trucking industry – and thus help to locate more missing kids.

Their Truck Poster Program is one way that you can contribute to this worthy cause.

A 19-inch by 27-inch poster of a missing child is provided on a peel and stick backing which is placed on the barn doors of one (or more) of your trailers.

There is a $10 charge per decal to cover the cost of printing, shipping and administration. But we all know that’s chicken scratch compared to some of the other costs this industry is up against.

A number of you are already participating in this program and I commend you. For those of you who aren’t … What in the heck are you waiting for? Do you not like children?

Pick up the phone and call 800-387-7962 right now. You could help someone put their family, not to mention their life, back together.

Over 50,000 children in Canada are reported missing annually – that’s roughly enough to fill Toronto’s Skydome. The good news is that 90 per cent of these kids are recovered thanks to the hard work of Child Find, law enforcement agencies and other social service groups.

Their toll free line is open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

The group also organizes free fingerprinting and streetproofing clinics as well as providing parental support. Over 1,000 volunteers carry out these programs, maintain thousands of posters and do public speaking engagements on child safety issues.

Hopefully, we will never need the services of Child Find. I can only imagine the hell it would be to lose a child. It is something that would haunt you the rest of your life.

Unfortunately, parental and stranger abductions will always be a fact of life. And while Child Find can’t ensure your children will never be subject to abduction, they do offer hope and comfort during trying times. If you haven’t already done so, take advantage of Child Find’s preventive programs.

Get involved with their poster program and keep an eye out for these children. We at Truck News applaud their work. n

– Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-442-2097.