Pinwheels for Prevention in 19th year in the region
The weather cooperated on March 28 for more than 50 volunteers to place pinwheels on the New Philadelphia Courthouse steps for the 19th annual Pinwheels for Prevention.
The weather cooperated on March 28 for more than 50 volunteers to place pinwheels on the New Philadelphia Courthouse steps for the 19th annual Pinwheels for Prevention. Banners were placed near the pinwheels for the community to become aware of children who are being abused and neglected.
April is designated as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and is held to create public awareness of children who have been abused and neglected.
Mandy Willet, executive director of Noah’s Hope Child Advocacy Center, located at 2421 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, explained each silver and blue pinwheel represents a child who has been neglected or abused in Tuscarawas County.
Willet said in 2023 Job & Family Services received 1,481 calls regarding child abuse or neglect. They conducted 313 child abuse or neglect investigations, which involved 626 children, and 62 of those children were placed in foster care. Alcohol, drugs, domestic violence and sexual abuse are the top reasons for the JFS investigations.
According to Willet, Noah’s Hope and Child Advocacy Center served 179 children and their families.
Nicole John, Job & Family Services instate officer and handler of Alexa, an 8-year-old therapy dog, said the investigations were slightly lower than in past years.
On March 27 the Tuscarawas County commissioners read a proclamation supporting Pinwheels for Prevention. The Voice for All Children annual award will be presented at the first gala celebration titled We Battle for Kids on April 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center in New Philadelphia.
April 10 is Wear Blue Day in Tuscarawas County in support of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
Doug and Kristen Shoup of Shoup’s Cleaning and Noah’s Hope provide the van to bring the metal forms to the courthouse in which the pinwheels are placed for display.
Members of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, police officers from Dover and New Philadelphia, the prosecutor’s office, TuscBDD, Compass, Job & Family Services, Dover Exchange Club, Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court, and family and friends volunteered to place the pinwheels on the steps.