Family Help Center's 'Pinwheels for Prevention' event to spread awareness on child abuse

The Family Help Center invites the community to participate in its free, drive-thru awareness event, “Pinwheels for Prevention,” in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, the Family Help Center will be giving away handcrafted pinwheel bouquets at its location at 60 Dingens St., Buffalo. The event also will feature a kettle corn vendor and FeedMore WNY’s farm market truck, which offers fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables.

The agency stated one out of four children will experience some form of child abuse or neglect in his or her lifetime. The pinwheel, which embodies lightheartedness and the playful spirit of children, is recognized as a national symbol for child abuse prevention.

Family Help Center partnered with more than a dozen agencies, community groups and businesses, as well as older adults, college students, clients and children to create thousands of one-of-a-kind free pinwheel bouquets for the event.

“Tragically, child abuse affects approximately 700,000 children in our country each year, according to the National Children’s Alliance. However, we also know that this statistic may actually be much higher since many cases of child abuse go unreported and remain hidden,” Family Help Center Executive Director Katey Joyce said. “The Family Help Center is dedicated to the prevention and interruption of child abuse and neglect in all of its forms. We strive to be a ‘home away from home’ for many children and parents by offering a comfortable and nurturing environment for group interaction, child care programming, parent training sessions and a variety of other functions. Our ‘Pinwheels for Prevention’ bouquet giveaway is an opportunity to thank the community and to spread awareness on child abuse prevention. We encourage everyone to stop by on April 20 to participate in this uplifting and informative event.”

Participants also have the option to call 716-822-0919 to reserve their pinwheel bouquets.

The Family Help Center offers a 24-hour, seven-day per week helpline that serves as an access point for all of the organization’s services. Parents and caregivers can call 716-892-2172 to receive assistance, and callers have the option to remain anonymous.