Earlier this week the City of Santa Barbara officially declared August as SMA Awareness Month for the third year in a row. The City of Santa Barbara has consistently been supportive of our efforts to end SMA and Mayor Helene Schneider has always been extremely complimentary and enthusiastic about what we are doing. While this proclamation doesn't alter the brutality of SMA, recognition by legislators and council members can be leveraged for further support of this little-known child killer and we are always honored and further motivated by them taking the time specifically for SMA. Thank you Mayor Schneider and the Santa Barbara City Council for helping us move the needle.
But we aren't the only ones asking politicians to get involved in the SMA cause. We are always so excited to see cities, counties and states say, “Yes, SMA is important.” There are so many efforts in this vain that have taken place in the past and there are many individuals who have gotten their community involved this year. We know this is not a complete list, so please let us know how you have motivated your legislators to be involved in the SMA cause this year or in years before. And THANK YOU to the communities around the country who are standing up in support of ending SMA:
- Strong Family — State of California (EVERY August is SMA Awareness Month) and City of Santa Barbara, CA
- Kennedy Family and Friends — State of Michigan, State of Massachusetts, State of North Carolina, and City of Costa Mesa, CA
- Horton Family — State of Mississippi
- Cuevas/Shiesley Families/FSMA New York Chapter — State of New York (EVERY August was declared SMA Awareness Month in 2008 and Hillary Clinton did a PSA), multiple counties in the past and this year Westchester County, NY
- Barberena/Lopes/Prendiz Families — City of Corona, CA, Riverside, CA and City of San Clemente, CA
- Storm/Mathany Family — City of Sacramento, CA
- Felix Family — City of Glendale, AZ
- Butler Family — City of St. Petersburg, FL
- Kerns Family/FSMA Greater Florida Chapter — City of Tallahassee, City of Tampa, and City of Clearwater, FL