In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, volunteers and staff from the Child Advocacy Center have lined the sidewalk in front of City Hall with blue pinwheels and tied blue ribbons to City trees lining Market Street up to 7th Street.
CONTACT: Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 1, 2014
City Supports Child Abuse Prevention Month
Blue Pinwheels & Ribbons
Frederick, MD -- In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, volunteers and staff from the Child Advocacy Center have lined the sidewalk in front of City Hall with blue pinwheels and tied blue ribbons to City trees lining Market Street up to 7th Street. This campaign is an effort to educate the public on child abuse, and awareness of the occurrence of abuse.
Mayor McClement said, “The City is honored to assist the CAC with the hope of bringing as much attention as possible to the subject of child abuse. The pinwheels in front of City Hall and blue ribbons tied around our City trees are symbols to all that this silent epidemic can’t be ignored and we need to help those children that are unable or afraid to speak up or help themselves.” Mayor Randy McClement will present a proclamation proclaiming April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” to Lynn Davis, Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, at the Workshop Meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd.
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” said Ms. Davis. “We must not be silent when it comes to the wellbeing of our children, and protecting them is everyone’s job. In April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, pinwheels line the walkway to City Hall, and blue ribbons adorn the trees on Market Street to remind us of our great responsibility to our children and their futures.”
The pinwheel is a national symbol for child abuse prevention, meant to call citizens to action to support healthy child development and prevent child abuse and neglect. They stand for the healthy, happy, full lives all children deserve. Blue pinwheels are “planted” in communities across the U.S. to draw attention to the importance of fulfilling our roles in supporting the healthy development of our children.
The blue ribbons are a somber reminder of the victims and survivors of child maltreatment in our community, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and physical, emotional, and educational neglect. The pinwheels and ribbons will remain in place through Wednesday, April 30th.
For more information, please contact Lynn Davis, Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County at (301) 600-1762 or email Ldavis2@frederickcountymd.gov.
--30--
www.cityoffrederick.com