Pinwheel Celebration: Join Us April 1, 2015

LACASA’s CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Council will host its annual “Pinwheels for Prevention” ceremony on the first day of April to launch National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Livingston County.

Help Us Plant a Pinwheel Garden!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Noon

Front Lawn of Howell Carnegie Library, 314 W. Grand River Ave., Howell

Speakers

Bill Vailliencourt, Livingston County Prosecutor 

Holly Ward-Lamb, Carnegie Library Youth Services Director

Bobette Schrandt, LACASA President & CEO 

Music

Voices of Voyager Choir, Voyager Elementary School in Howell

The pinwheel was selected seven years ago by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA) to serve as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention. It is a happy, carefree symbol that reminds us all children deserve a great childhood

Like LACASA’s CAP Council, designated local councils of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, a state partner of PCA, will plant gardens across Michigan on the same day. Other pinwheel initiatives will take place all across the country during April.

In Livingston County, community pinwheel gardens will sprout up at 60 different locations throughout the month. Partners hosting gardens will include public schools in each of the county’s five school districts and the Livingston Educational Service Agency, local businesses, chambers of commerce, and health and human service agencies.

The pinwheels at the library and other locations will remain in place throughout April as a month-long reminder about the importance of preventing abuse and neglect before they occur so children can grow up safe, healthy and whole.

5 Tips for Supporting Families

LACASA’s CAP Council encourages local residents to get involved in efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Livingston County children. The following tips from PCA’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign are easy for everyone to implement:

1. Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to babysit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
2. Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care.
3. Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another’s children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
4. Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens that parents sometimes take out on their kids.
5. Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families.