Pinwheel garden calls attention to child abuse

BOARDMAN — Twenty-two East High School Junior ROTC students planted a pinwheel garden today in Boardman Park to launch National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

They planted 1,379 pinwheels on the highly visible park lawn facing U.S. Route 224 to represent the number of child abuse and neglect cases reported to Mahoning County Children Services in 2015.

The pinwheels, some blue, and some multicolored, began spinning rapidly in the brisk wind as soon as they were planted.

“It’s a national campaign, and we hope to raise awareness locally. ... Pinwheels are the national symbol of child abuse prevention,” said Jennifer T. Kollar, public information officer for Mahoning County Children Services.

An electronic billboard advertisement near South Avenue and U.S. Route 224 promotes the park display.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com