Sunset Elementary Students Plant Pinwheel Garden During Child Abuse Prevention Month

Sunset Elementary School students planted a blue pinwheel garden in front of their school to spread awareness during child abuse prevention month.

“April is child abuse prevention month and so the individuals and entities around the community come together to help spread awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention and so this April, the exchange club and the child abuse and neglect team come together to put up banners and flags around the community and plant pinwheels with kids to bring awareness to the community to remind them that everyone plays a part in child abuse prevention” said Robin Benson, Child Abuse and Neglect (CA/N) prevention team coordinator.

The pinwheels are used to represent the joys that should be experienced during childhood.

“Pinwheels are the national symbol of child abuse prevention and just represents whimsy and, you know, just a fun, enjoyable childhood, just to remind the community that each child deserves a childhood free of child abuse and neglect” said Benson.

The Exchange Club of Alpena collaborated with Sunset Elementary School to help organize planting this garden and they have placed other banners and flags throughout the community to help spread awareness.

“The Exchange Club of Alpena is a service club, it’s a national organization and we have a chapter in Alpena and we provide services for our community through youth projects, community service, Americanism and our national project is the prevention of child abuse” said Ray Reynolds of the exchange club of Alpena.

The CA/N team recommends developing protective factors such as concrete support, resilience, social connections, nurturing, communication and emotional competence as ways you can help establish a positive and healthy environment for children.

“Remember, as you go through the community, seeing the pinwheels and banners thinking about what you can do to play your part, helping a neighbor or donating to a baby pantry, helping a family out, mentoring a family. A lot of things you can do to help a family get through tough times and when they needs some help” said Benson.

The exchange club of Alpena is currently seeking volunteers that are motivated in supporting the prevention of child abuse and enjoy serving their community. If you’d like to get involved and help you can visit Exchange club of Alpena on Facebook.