Action for Children and 30+ co-sponsoring organizations, as well as parents and interested citizens, called on leaders to Step Up and Act for Children by investing more in children's programs and services. The event kicked off with stellar performances by the Hunter Elementary School advanced orchestra and show choir, and ended with a press conference focused on child health and early education. 

Speakers included:

• Marian F. Earls, M.D., President, North Carolina Pediatric Society
• Stephanie Fanjul, President of the N.C. Partnership for Children, Inc (Smart Start)
• Worth Hill, Durham County Sheriff
• Felicia Willems, mother and advocate for children

Click on the videos below to hear the speakers.

Action for Children's Barb Bradley, and Dr. Marian Earls: 

Stephanie Fanjul:

Sheriff Hill:

Felicia Willems: 

Thank you to all our Step Up and Act for Children 2009 co-sponsors:

North Carolina Pediatric Society, Covenant with North Carolina’s Children, The North Carolina Partnership, Inc. (Smart Start), N.C. Health Access Coalition, N.C. Education and Law Project, North Carolina Association of Educators, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, United Way of North Carolina, The Mental Health Association in North Carolina, The Arc of North Carolina, Children and Family Services Association, IDA and Asset Building Collaborative of N.C., North Carolina Bankers Association, National Association of Social Workers – N.C. Chapter, Self-Help and the Center for Responsible Lending, El Pueblo, Goldsboro Pediatrics, The Arc of Wake County, Wake County Smart Start, Haven House, Council for Children’s Rights, Youth Homes, Inc., Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont, Alexander Youth Network, Forsyth Futures, Smart Start of Forsyth County, Youth Opportunities, Inc., Children’s Law Center of Central N.C., Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County, Rainbo Renaissance Creative Solutions, Durham’s Partnership for Children, Guilford Education Alliance, Down East Partnership for Children, Appalachian Family Innovations.