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Green light bulbs given out in Ocala to raise awareness about runaways

Ocala based, Arnette House has started the Green Light Project during the month of November. Florida's 89.1, WUFT-FM,  Zac Blobner says they're hoping to shine a light on a growing problem.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/BlobnerGreenlightWrap.mp3

(in depth version)

Ocala-based, Arnette House has started the Green Light Project during the month of November. Arnette House also helps runaways get home and receive counseling. Local residents are switching their porch lights to green bulbs to raise runaway awareness. A limited number of free green bulbs are available for pick up at the Arnette House and can also be found at your local hardware store in honor of National Runaway Prevention Month. Arnette House Shelter Program Manager Mark Shearon says the life of a runaway is much harder than it seems.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon1.mp3

Shearon says the group sees many cases where kids are on the run mainly because they don't wanna go home.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon2.mp3

He says cases vary as to when and why kids want to be helped and taken care of.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon3.mp3

Shearon adds parents are devastated at their children running away and go to great efforts to locate the missing.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon4.mp3

He hopes to get the downtown square lit up green for the entire month in the years to come.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon6.mp3

Shearon says if the public was more aware, runaway numbers would go down.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Shearon7.mp3

Arnette House serves all of Florida and has served 6- runaways in the past six months.

 

Zac is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org
Corey is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.