Photos by LayU Farmer Attorney General Roy Cooper, right, presents an award to Cleveland Hunt on Tuesday. Two are honored for protecting young lives BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE Cleveland Hunt will never forget the day the call came in. "9-1 -J received a call; they had found an abandoned baby," related the Nash County firefighter. The child, a boy, was only two days old - stuffed in a Cheetos container and discarded in a dumpster in Rocky Mount, he says. The death of the nameless infant resonated with Hunt and many others in the firehouse. With more than 30 years on the job. Hunt has seen it all. Yet he was shaken by the senselessness of the tragedy. "I was (touched) to see a child like that just aban doned," he commented. "We actually adopted the child back through Nash County and, with the local support, we actually gave the child a bur ial. We named it John Nash because it's Nash County." It didn't have to happenf: A Safe Surrender Law was passed by the NC General Assembly in 2001. The law states that a child may be anonymously surrendered to any responsible adult with no questions asked. The law stipulates that the child must be less than a week old and unharmed. Baby Nash's mother didn't appear to know she had options. Hunt wanted to make sure other mothers did. "I said I want to take this law and educate the public; I want to put out signs at all the fire departments to let people know that the fire and rescue stations are a safe haven," he said. "We educate the public on putting fire alarms in the house, we tell moms how to put car seats in cars ... it's our job to educate the public about the Safe Haven Law." Hunt raised over $1800 for the production of the signs, which are now posted in every fire station in Nash County. Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina took notice. The statewide nonprofit honored Hunt for his efforts at its Awards Luncheon. The luncheon was part of the "Investing in Healthy Families" conference held in the Twin City Quarter March 17 & 18. More than 50 work shops were offered at the annual gathering, which was sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Social Services. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper made the trip to present the awards to Hunt and Blue Ribbon Parent Award Winner Beth Taylor at the March 18 luncheon, which was held at thf Embassy Suites hotel. "I want to say thank you to so many people out there who know the pain of child abuse and neglect and who are work ing everyday ... to make a real difference in the lives of chil dren," Cooper stated. "It excites me what you're doing Beth Taylor out there to try to protect kids." Taylor, a resident of Old Fort. She was honored for her involvement in FAST (Families and Schools Together) and the Citcle of 'Parents, a parental, support group. A Springs Global employ ee, she convinced the compa ny's president to help both organizations last year. At her urging, the blanket manufac turer donated 400 blankets to impoverished local families. "Actually being able to help - that's been awesome," said the soft spoken Taylor. She is a longtime member of FAST who volunteers as a parent partner. She joined the group in 2000, hoping for a 3 better way to discipline her son. Though honored by the award, Taylor says she has already reaped the benefits of her thvolvement. "ftf you're abused as a (ShiltJi you don't want to put your, child through that so* you'Ve got to break that cycla," she commented, her eyes. Rearing up. "This pro gram has helped me break that cycle." ? Toil Fr? 888.617.5730 NorthMyrUeBeachTravel.com | ancestry & innovation1 Reynolda House Museum of American Art COMMUNITY DAY CELEBRATION Sunday, March 30 I 2-5 p.m. I FREE Enjoy entertainment by Triad Youth Jan Society and the Winston Salem Children's Chorus. Art activities for kids include quilt squares, creature sculptures out of found object, styrofoam animal prints, painted woodblocks, and a community tapestry. Free admission to Reynolda House, artist discussions, and free shuttles to see works at Winston-Salem State University and Delta Arts Center complete the day Of festivities! 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem i 336.758.5150 reynoldahousa.org o Smithaonian limitation OrfMttaH by the Amcntan fo* Art Mum** X*w Ybrk ?rxJ th? S*ft?tb*>n4#n J?V?tetWn ? faMMfltfl 5#rv*:? Tfw #*h?M w ?M m*? pnnd?<*? ? K0W Of AMIGA. 1 *?? *. lb llUi WtMm? Ml &?**! ?nl MMMt ?* ? atf <# > ??? ?N?d4* ft* Art X** *** m*** >?** pm>*? mm ?*** ?*? **?**? f fc* ttw *?H mrf tw M#?rci?<b t* fc#sl W>i*r? ?vym*t? Hr,rf? * (9 t? *H Cat*** t?o m LIONSGATE Visit Carmike Cinemas online at C www.carmike.com for locations al limes Warts council On sale n