Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc., a private, not-for-profit agency which assists working parents in obtaining child care, will be sponsoring its Sixth Annual WalkABit on Sunday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow.

"This WalkABit has become an annual event for two reasons," states Tula Hawkins Lacy, a council board member and this year's WalkABit's chairman. "The first is that as a not-for-profit agency we are always in the position of having to sponsor fund raisers so that we can continue to have the financial resources to fulfill the mission of our agency; but, just as important, is the need for us to consistently have events that raise our visibility so that the Nassau County community becomes more aware of the need for child care - and more specifically, quality child care."

The WalkABit is a 5K Pledge Walkathon that has drawn on a large number of different segments of the community in the past and this year promises to be more popular than ever. "We are fortunate to have a very active board of directors," says Executive Director Gloria Wallick. "They not only organize and participate in the WalkABit, but reach out to their corporate friends and social contacts to sponsor and take part in the walkathon. In addition, this year the committee plans to contact school districts for the participation of the teacher unions, high school community service clubs and their communities at large. With before and after school care for children a growing concern in Nassau County, we felt this would of interest party in our Nassau community."

In addition, a highlight of the WalkABit has been the participation of teams consisting of children, their parents and their child care providers. According to Ms. Hawkins Lacy, a special effort will be made this year to reach out to even more child care centers and family child care providers.

Plans include an aerobics workout prior to the walk, a well-known grand marshal to lead the walkathon and a popular children's author, as well as other activities to encourage all members of the community to come down that day to support and get acquainted with Child Care Council of Nassau.

To sponsor and/or to participate in this exciting and worthwhile event, please contact the council at 358-9250.