In April, Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall will be planting a Pinwheels for Prevention® Garden on the lawn of the Marshall County Judicial Building to show support for children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Pinwheels connote happy, healthy childhoods and have become the national symbol of child abuse prevention,” said Jill Seyfred at Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. “Since 2008, advocates and volunteers across the country have come together annually to plant pinwheel gardens in their communities, drawing attention to the need for effective programs and policies that ensure the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and their families.”
“Our Pinwheel Garden will be moving throughout Marshall County this month as we work to better educate kids and adults on how to prevent and report child abuse,” says Jason Darnall, Marshall County Attorney.
“We are also encouraging all Marshall County citizens to participate in Wear Blue Day on Friday, April 5th as a means of making more of our citizens aware of the need for positive impacts in the lives of children in our community. Moreover, we encourage everyone to make an extra effort this month to make a difference in a child’s life.”
“Small steps can make a big impact,” explained Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO Dan Duffy. “We want to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love—gardening, cooking, making art and music, reading, or playing sports—and, at the same time, help families and their community thrive.”
• Volunteer for an after-school reading program or book club—you’ll help kids meet new friends and spark their imaginations, too.
• Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner, offering to run an errand, or babysitting.
• Coach a youth sports team to teach kids the value of teamwork—they’ll learn how to trust teammates and themselves.
• Host a kid-friendly BBQ or organize a block party so parents can socialize without the stress of finding a sitter— social connections with other parents helps to establish a strong support network.
• Contact your elected officials and urge them to support policies and programs that promote safe healthy childhoods.