April is Child Abuse & Prevention Month

SWEET HOME, Ore. March 25, 2021 —  April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Mayor Greg Mahler read the proclamation at Tuesday's city council meeting. He invited community members, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, and businesses to use the month to raise awareness and increase child abuse prevention in Sweet Home. 

The Sweet Home Police Department invites the public, children, families, and representatives from each business to join in planting a pinwheel garden and marching against child abuse at 10 a.m. on April 10th, 2021. 

After a brief presentation by Jenny Gilmore-Robinson, director of the ABC House, participants will plant blue and silver pinwheels in front of the Sweet Home Police Department.  They will then march from the department to 15th Avenue and back for a hot dog lunch.

"The pinwheels represent a happy, healthy, and innocent childhood," Police Chief Jeff Lynn said. "Every child throughout our nation deserves that."

The Police Department will offer pinwheels for $1 each beginning March 24. Pinwheels are available at the Sweet Home Police Department, 1950 Main St., and Chamber of Commerce, 1575 Main St. Any additional sites will be announced later. 

"We invite everyone to plant the pinwheels in support of our children," said Community Services Officer Sean Morgan. "We would love to see pinwheels the length of Main Street supporting thriving children and families." 

All donations and funds received for the pinwheels will be forwarded to the ABC House in Albany. ABC House is the child abuse intervention center serving Benton and Linn Counties.  They provide high-quality child abuse assessments for local children when there are concerns of abuse and neglect.

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For Additional Information Contact:
Sean Morgan, CSO
Sweet Home Police Department
541-367-5181
shpd@sweethomeor.gov