Pinwheel Gardens are beginning to make their appearance in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month. Jill Sampson, the Child Protective Services Supervisor for Bladen County Department of Social Services, encourages all county residents and business owners to plant a Pinwheel Garden as a reminder to prevent Child Abuse. There is a contest taking place for the most creative Pinwheel Garden and entries in the contest are due by April 17, 2017. Sampson encourages everyone to be creative when planning their Pinwheel Gardens.
The staff at DSS would like to cover the entire county in Pinwheel Gardens as part of a nationwide campaign called “Pinwheels for Prevention.” The planting of the Pinwheels is a way you, your school, your church or business, can show your support of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention. Sampson encourages everyone to be creative when planning their Pinwheel Gardens.
Pinwheels can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Dollar General, or from internet retailers. The staff at DSS also have blue pinwheels that can be purchased for $1 each while they last. Blue is the color used during Child Abuse Prevention Month.
You can submit your photos of your Pinwheel Garden entries by April 17, 2017, to jsampson@bladenco.org or photos can be mailed to Pinwheel Garden, Bladen County DSS, P.O. Box 369, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, or drop the picture off at the DSS office located at 208 McKay Street, Elizabethtown.
On Saturday, April 29, 2017, will be our Child Abuse Awareness Day. This event will start at 1 p.m. with an Awareness Walk beginning at San Jose’s parking area and ending at the Bladen County Courthouse lawn. After the walk, there are activities scheduled to take place on the Courthouse lawn. There will be free hot dogs and drinks for everyone, entertainment, bounce houses, activities, goodie bags for children and parents, a DJ, and concluding with a balloon release. There will also be on site vendors selling food items.
If you are interested in setting up a booth for Saturday or to obtain more information about any of our Child Abuse Awareness events or plans contact Crystal Slater in the Child Welfare Unit at 910-862-6854 or Supervisor Jill Sampson at 910-862-6876.
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