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LUMBERJAX BATTLE CHILD ABUSE

Team helps create comic book in effort to raise awareness

03/14/2007

The Portland LumberJax have teamed up with the Children's Trust Fund of Oregon and Dark Horse Comics to create a comic book that helps raise awareness about child abuse prevention. The story features Jax transition player Adam Bysouth, defenseman Brodie Merrill and goalie Dallas Eliuk discussing the issue of child abuse which affects over 900,000 children every year.

"This opportunity was appealing to the LumberJax, because not only are we able to partner with two reputable organizations, but it is a unique and creative way to raise awareness about this nationwide issue," Bysouth explained.

The Jax have been working with the Trust Fund since late September when the three parties came together to talk about working on a project. The three Jax players are used as positive role models who tackle the issue of abuse and let young people know that they have someone to talk to when child abuse is suspected.

"It is important for people to know that there is information out there on this issue," defenseman Merrill said. "If they suspect child abuse or neglect, they should seek help through the channels given in the comic."

The trio of partners hope to attract their individual audiences to this comic book in order to create more exposure about the issue of child abuse. Approximately 20,000 copies of the 16-page comic book will be distributed at several key sites, including the Jax "Kid's Night" March 30 at the Rose Garden in a match-up against the Calgary Roughnecks.

"I grew up reading comic books and continue to read them today," LumberJax goalie Eliuk said. "To be involved with the making of an original comic book with Dark Horse is a dream."

The Children's Trust Fund of Oregon will also distribute the comic book at child abuse prevention programs throughout the state.

For more information on the Children's Trust Fund of Oregon, visit its website at ctfo.org. For more information on the Portland LumberJax visit a href="http://www.PortlandJax.com">PortlandJax.com, and for more information on Dark Horse Comics please visit darkhorse.com.