According to NCMEC, each year more than 800,000 children are reported missing to law enforcement. To help combat this, NCMEC launched Take 25 in 2007 as a national campaign that encourages parents, guardians, educators, law enforcement and others to allocate 25 minutes to speak to children on safety.

NCMEC partnered with more than 100 local and national organizations during the first year, when more than 375 Take 25 events were held in communities across the country. The 2010 program grew to more than 3,500 events held in nearly 1,400 cities throughout North America.

National Missing Children's Day was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and has been observed every May 25 since. The date commemorates May 25, 1979, when 6-year-old Ethan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner while on his way to school.

NAPT said Take 25 is a good way for school districts and bus companies to involve drivers in community-wide child safety. NAPT encouraged drivers to distribute program materials and resources, such as conversation starters, safety tips, and bookmarks, to increase their already strong impact on the children they reach every day. NAPT added that many of these resources are available in both English and Spanish and are free of charge.