April Proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month in Alpena

If you’re driving down Washington Avenue, or South Bagley Street, or North Second Avenue, you’ll see blue and gold flags lined on the streets.

They symbolize child abuse prevention, and they were placed there by the Exchange Club of Alpena. Alpena mayor Matt Waligora proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the city.

Ray Reynolds created the project a year and a half ago, and it’s growing here in Alpena and across the country.

“We know that there’s a problem year long, and so it’s our goal as an organization to work as a link in our community to bring our agencies closer to our community and helping get the information out and what they can do to help each other out and make Alpena a better place to live,” said Reynolds.

Having the proclamation is going to help the Exchange Club spread awareness about how the community can put an end to child abuse.

“Looking at the things everyone in our community can do to be on the lookout to support parents, support family members with children, and as Ray said, look to how to report if we need to, to help families get the help they need,” said Robin Benson, Manager of Educational Services at MyMichigan Medical Center.

The Exchange Club of Alpena is hoping people will become aware of the problem of child abuse and learn how to identify it and report it.

“Just kind of a reminder that we all have to do a better job in protecting our children, be more aware of it, if you see things, report it,” said Reynolds.

Along with flags, the project also plants pinwheels and puts banners up at different locations.