You may have wondered why bright blue pinwheels are suddenly sprouting up in the flowerbeds of public buildings and at some homes here in Susanville. The pinwheels stand as a symbol representing a national effort to raise public awareness of child abuse and neglect.
In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention through Pinwheels for Prevention. According to the organization, “By its very nature, the pinwheel connotes whimsy and childlike notions. In essence, it has come to serve as the physical embodiment, or reminder, of the great childhoods we want for all children.”
James Hall, Program Manager at the Lassen County Office of Education, is encouraging community members to make their own pinwheels, or simply color pinwheels to hang in windows around town.
“We have the opportunity to show our support for our nation’s children and help get your children involved in the movement by making your own pinwheel display!” Hall explains.
The pinwheel activities are great for local projects at your school, community center, religious institution, or even just within your family. Hall asked that community members post pinwheels in their windows at home or in a business. Click here to download the instructions for making your own pinwheels. Click here to download the pinwheel coloring page.
“For the more artistic, print out the coloring sheet. For the future engineers, follow the instructions on how to make your own pinwheel.”
Michelle Godman, Lassen County Health and Social Services’ Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program Coordinator, emphasizes these facts during Child Abuse Prevention Month:
- When families, friends, and neighbors join together to support and nurture children, we can prevent child abuse and neglect.
- Two of the major risk factors that can lead to child abuse and neglect are family isolation and stress.
- Preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility. Volunteer, speak up, reach out.
- Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. Jump in. Help out. All kids deserve a happy, healthy childhood.
- Neglected children are more likely to have lower reading ability, higher rates of unemployment, higher rates of suicide attempts and criminal records.
- A Community in Unity will prevent child abuse. #unite4kids
- Strengthening at-risk families plus improving at-risk neighborhoods equals child abuse prevention. Play a positive role in our community.
- We can’t put a dollar value on the life of a child. But we can play a part in ending the tragedy of child abuse by supporting children and families.
