HERMISTON, Ore.-Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) hosted a Pinwheels for Prevention event on April 17 as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Good Shepherd participates in the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign each April to bring awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Jessica Reker, MPH, RN, Director of Community Health & Outreach at GSHCS.
About 40 girls and boys from the GSHCS Children’s Center, along with GSHCS Administration & staff, planted blue pinwheels outside the Main Entrance of the hospital to raise awareness about child abuse prevention.
“Pinwheels are a whimsical, symbol of hope that our children can have healthy, happy and well-supported childhoods,” said Reker.
Prevent Child Abuse America started the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in 2008, with the blue pinwheels representing childhood, as well as the organization’s vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.
In 2022, the most recent year for which abuse data is available, an estimated 558,899 children were the victims of abuse or neglect in the United States, according to the National Children’s Alliance.
“In addition to this event every April, a large focus of Good Shepherd’s Healthy Communities Coalition is on child abuse prevention & education throughout our communities,” said Reker.
How to get involved
Planting pinwheels in a virtual garden, your yard or at a community event is an easy way to get involved by showing support and raising money for child abuse awareness and prevention.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Pinwheels are available for purchase in bulk orders through Prevent Child Abuse America.
Supporters can also donate and plant a pinwheel in a virtual garden, or purchase a child abuse prevention month lapel pin or clothing to wear throughout April.
Beyond pinwheels, those interested in supporting child abuse prevention can donate to or get involved with state chapters of Prevent Child Abuse America.
“We work in collaboration with community partner organizations to educate the community on child abuse prevalence and prevention, parenting resources, and more,” said Reker.
Child abuse prevention resources are available through national organizations, including Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Children’s Alliance, as well as locally and regionally through Prevent Child Abuse Oregon.
