“THE PINWHEELS STORY”

Pinwheels for Prevention Program goes nationwide

MARION, OH (4-1-08) -- “Pinwheels for Prevention” is a nationwide public awareness campaign to emphasize the importance of keeping every child safe, while at the same time, to encourage the reporting of child abuse and neglect.

Sponsored statewide by Prevent Child Abuse Ohio, Marion County Children Services was one of the 13 agencies which piloted the pinwheels program in 2005. The local agency has participated each year since.

Pinwheels for Prevention was originally created by Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, and has been underway in the Peach State for several years.

Due to its success, Pinwheels for Prevention was offered to the entire state in 2006, with 41 counties participating. It grew to 66 counties in 2007, and has as its goal “88 in 08” for the 2008 Pinwheels For Prevention campaign.

The Pinwheels For Prevention Campaign was recently adopted by Prevent Child Abuse America for its national child abuse awareness month campaign.   By 2010, all PCA America chapters will be participating in the Pinwheels For Prevention campaign.

Always popular with children, pinwheels were selected to help bring attention to the very ugly reality of child abuse and neglect: Imagine pinwheels blowing in the breeze. Imagine a world free of child abuse and neglect.

To report suspected cases of abuse or neglect in Marion County, call 740-389-SAFE, or nationwide 1-800-CHILDREN.

For more, visit the Prevent Child Abuse Web site at www.pcao.org or marionkids.com.