Child Abuse is Focus of Pinwheel Planting

 

by Jonathan Weaver

Spring-like weather has come and gone since March 20, but maybe a little pinwheel ‘planting’ to honor local child victims will encourage some warmer weather.

Yesterday evening, a half-dozen women from the Kittanning Salvation Army’s Women’s Ministry Group planted more than two dozen polka-dotted or striped pinwheels throughout the region as part of the national “Planting for Prevention” advocacy effort.

Lieutenant Amber Imhoff was used to seeing the pinwheels in Ohio, but is glad the effort has grown during the past four years here in Kittanning.

“We’re planting 28 larger pinwheels at each location this year because they represent the 28 cases in Armstrong County that were found to be beyond a shadow-of-a-doubt child abuse,” Lieutenant Amber said. “It doesn’t seem like a huge number, but even one would be too many.

There were 253 other cases that are suspected, but they can’t prove beyond a shadow-of-a-doubt. It’s a good cause to stand behind – we all want to protect our kids.”

Among the seven locations, women are planting pinwheels outside local elementary schools – such as Lenape Elementary in Ford City and West Hills Primary and Intermediate in East Franklin Township.

Along with Elderton Elementary, students from the schools will also get to participate in the advocacy effort through a coloring contest.

Each student will also receive a blue Popsicle due to blue symbolizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“I thought ‘Well, if (students ate) blue Popsicles, their mouths will be blue when they go home, parents might ask ‘Why are your mouths blue?’ and that might stir some conversation,” Lieutenant Amber said.

Salvation Army Bridging the Gap Director Gloria Carney has been part of the ministry group for eight years and said the pinwheels are effective.

“It makes people really aware of what’s going on – and if they weren’t aware before the pinwheels, they are afterward,” Carney said. “It’s a good thing we do – people need to know. Some things when they’re kept secret harm a community.”

Carney added that individual members also spread the word via social media

The Kittanning Salvation Army will also celebrate ‘National Blue Sunday’ during services April 24.