Blue pinwheels on Fountain Square help turn attention to Child Abuse Prevention

Christopher Harris, Commonwealth Journal, Somerset, Ky.
·3 min read

Mar. 25—If you step onto the Fountain Square and see an array of blue pinwheels spinning in the wind — have a little hope for the future.

On Monday, local officials and others gathered for the reading of a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Somerset and Pulaski County.

In addition to the color of the pinwheels placed around the site of the proclamation — and the clothing many wore to its reading — the water of the fountain was dyed blue, the color symbolic of child abuse prevention.

Various agencies took part, including CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southern Kentucky, INC., Pulaski County Government, City of Somerset, local law enforcement and the judicial system, along with the Somerset Junior Woman's Club.

"... (C)hildren are locally grown and have a right to be safe and to be provided an opportunity to thrive, learn and grow," read the proclamation attributed to Pulaski County Government and Judge-Executive Marshall Todd as well as The City of Somerset and Mayor Alan Keck. "... (H)ope and commitment are powerful fertilizers that strengthen and support Somerset's families thus preventing the far-reaching effects of maltreatment, providing the opportunity for children to develop healthy, trusting family bonds ... (P)revention remains the best defense for our children and families."

Amber Scott, Volunteer Coordinator at CASA of Southern Kentucky, a non-profit agency which works against the abuse and neglect of children, noted that about 260 pinwheels were planted for the "Pinwheels for Prevention" ceremony, each representing a child who has been affected by the above factors — though unfortunately there are more such children to be found in Pulaski then there were pinwheels to be placed.

"There are currently 332 children in Pulaski County that are found to be abused or neglected," said Scott. "Each pinwheel that is put out and displayed ... represents what a child's life should be like. Every child deserves a happy childhood that they can thrive in."

Scott said that even though April is the month referenced in the proclamation, they chose to hold the ceremony this week so the pinwheels would already be in place to serve as a visual reminder throughout the entirety of April.

The ceremony — also attended by Tammy Roberts, executive director of CASA of Southern Kentucky — is held every year, and 2024's might have been the biggest yet, said Scott; "I'm trying to grow it and make it bigger and better each year."

The Somerset Junior Woman's Club (SJWC) has been placing pinwheels at the Children's Garden of the Pulaski County Public Library for several years, but last year partnered with CASA on a smaller scale. This year, Stacy Boyd Wesley chaired the project for SJWC and worked with CASA to make it a bigger event. The club helped promote the ceremony as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month in general, noted SJWC member Wynona Padgett.

"It is an opportunity show awareness of such a terrible problem, not only in the nation but in our state and our own community," said Padgett. "The pinwheels will usually get the attention of children, and children are always so caring about other children. We think (prevention) needs to start there."