Last year there were over 1200 "Stand For Children" events around the country. The event, which takes place each year on or around June 1, is a great way to:

• Celebrate the important work being done with or in behalf of children in your community.
• Educate the public about what children need to the Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed,
• Push forward local, state, and federal initiatives by showing policymakers the support that exists of children and families and getting them on record in support of specific initiative.
• Build stronger community coalitions.
• Identify new supporters of children.
• The "Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed" platform means that in addition to caring and supportive parents, every child must have:
• Health coverage. Stand Day events will help children succeed by signing children up for health insurance under the new Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
• Substantial new investments for affordable, quality child care;
• Safe, productive after-school activities;
• Schools that challenge all children.

Across the country Stand For Children Day events will raise awareness about the urgent need for a holistic plan to get every child ready to learn, ready to succeed and push for federal legislative solutions such as expansion of the 21st Century Learning School Development Block Grant (CCDBG). In local communities, Stand For Children Day events will make direct improvements in the lives of children through renovation and construction of playgrounds, book drives, rallies, and children's resource fairs.

There are a number of ways that public officials can participate in Stand for Children Day:

• Pass a proclamation declaring June 1 Stand For Children Day.
• Help defray activity costs by waiving fees for permits, extra police staff, or other requirements for the event.
• Introduce legislation to support every child in your community being Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed.

For more information on participating in or planning a Stand For Children Day '99 event please call 1-800-663-4032, visit the web site at www.stand.org , or via email at stand@stand.org . Stand For Children will provide technical support and assistance and link organizers and their events to millions of people nationwide.

Stand For Children is a nonprofit, nonpartisan national membership organization.