Today is Family Day


First Gentleman Bob Eaves encourages families across North Carolina to participate in this year’s Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.

Family Day, to be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 is a national project that encourages parental involvement and family meals. Research has shown that the more frequently children eat dinner with their families the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

First Gentleman Eaves is serving as the Honorary North Carolina Co-Chair for Family Day, which is coordinated by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).

“Sitting down to dinner is such a simple thing but it’s often challenging for busy families. I want parents to understand how important they are in keeping children safe and guiding them to success,” said First Gentleman Eaves. “I hope that families across the state will enjoy a meal and some time together and make September 27th Family Day in North Carolina.”

Families can log into the CASA website (www.CASAFamilyDay.org) and take the Family Day STAR Pledge to commit to:

– Spend time with your kids by having dinner together;

– Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol;

– Answer their questions and listen to what they say;
– Recognize that YOU have the power to keep your kids substance-free!

“Family dinners and the communication that occurs over the course of a meal are critical in building a relationship with your children and to understanding the world in which they live,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA’s founder and chair and the former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. “Parents, frequent family dinners make a difference!”

For additional information about Family Day, visit www.CASAFamilyDay.org.