Pinwheels for Prevention community event set for April 13

The 13th annual Pinwheels for Prevention community event is slated for April 13 at 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Boardman, located at 7410 South Ave.

Pinwheels for Prevention is offered in conjunction with National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance and the need for families and communities to work together to be vigilant and report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. The annual event is coordinated by Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley’s Child Advocacy Center and Mahoning County Children Services.

The program features keynote speaker David Kohout, founder of Talk Is Cheap and author of “Standing in the Presence of Greatness: Discover Seven Real Life Accounts of Greatness Along My Journey Thus Far,” the Boardman High School jazz band and the awarding of the annual Community Spotlight Award. The Spotlight Award is presented to an individual or organization who has demonstrated continued commitment and community service to Mahoning County children.

“Everybody’s responsible for speaking up on behalf of abused or neglected children,” said Andrea Mistovich, Child Advocacy Center coordinator, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. “If you have even an inkling, speak out. You might be the only one who does.”

The event is free, but reservations are required by emailing Andrea Mistovich at amistovich@akronchildrens.org or Jennifer Kollar at jennifer.kollar@jfs.ohio.gov. The event is funded in part by the Carter and Carol Lewis Family Child Advocacy fund.