LACASA'S PLANT A PINWHEEL DAY

Plant a Pinwheel Celebration Recognizes
Community Role in Preventing Child Abuse
 
LACASA Center’s CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Council will host its annual “Plant a Pinwheel Celebration” event Wednesday, April 5, 2017, to launch National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Livingston County. 
 
Members of the community are invited to help plant a pinwheel garden during a special ceremony that will take place at noon on the front lawn of the Howell Carnegie Library, located at 314 W. Grand River Ave., in downtown Howell.
 
The Pinwheel Celebration will feature several guests, including Howell Mayor Nick Proctor who will read a formal proclamation naming April 5, 2017, as “Plant a Pinwheel Day” in Howell. Music will be performed by the Voices of Voyager Choir from Voyager Elementary School in Howell. Speakers will include Michigan Children’s Trust Fund Board member and Bikers Against Child Abuse member Willie Dubas; Livingston County Prosecutor, Bill Vailliencourt; and LACASA President and CEO, Bobette Schrandt.
 
LACASA Center offers comprehensive services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. The CAP Council provides community-wide awareness and education programs that help prevent child abuse and child sexual abuse.
 
The pinwheel was selected nine years ago by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA) to serve as the national symbol for the Pinwheels for Prevention child abuse prevention campaign. It is a happy, carefree symbol that reminds us that all children deserve a great childhood.
 
Pinwheels on display 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.
 
Like LACASA’s CAP Council, other designated local councils of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, a state partner of PCA, will plant gardens across Michigan at the beginning of April. Pinwheel garden initiatives will take place across the nation this month.
 
“We planted 66 community pinwheel gardens in Livingston County last year,” said Holly Naylor, the CAP Council coordinator. “We are hoping to reach 100 community gardens this year. We hope that the pinwheel gardens will spark countless conversations about how we as a community can help to prevent child abuse and neglect.”
 
Partners hosting gardens will include public schools in each of the county’s five school districts and the Livingston Educational Service Agency. In addition, local businesses, chambers of commerce, government agencies, faith communities, and libraries are joining the pinwheel partnership.
 
“This campaign is all about awareness, and about the Power of One,” said Naylor. “One person, one action, one dollar can all work together. We really can improve the lives of children right here in our community if we work together.”
 
In addition to the goal of 100 community pinwheel gardens, LACASA’s CAP Council will be introducing a “Home Pinwheel Garden Kit” that can be pre-ordered for the 2018 Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. The home kits will expand the campaign into neighborhoods, and will also be a fundraiser for the CAP Council.
 
For questions about LACASA’s Plant a Pinwheel Celebration, the national Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, CAP Council programs; or for any Livingston County residents who would like to sign up for a 2018 Home Pinwheel Garden Kit, contact the CAP Council at hnaylor@lacasacenter.org or call 517-548-1350, ext 248.