'Pinwheels for Great Childhoods' coming to DI

Blue pinwheels will soon be sprouting up all across Daniel Island and the Cainhoy peninsula. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - and to raise awareness the Exchange Club of Daniel Island, Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Darkness to Light and Prevent Child Abuse America will be participating in “Pinwheels for Great Childhoods,” a child abuse awareness campaign and prevention initiative.

By selling blue pinwheels throughout the month, the program hopes to provide the community with opportunities to become better educated on the subject and receive appropriate training on how to recognize all forms of child abuse, according to a press release.

“During the month of April, we will be selling pinwheels throughout Daniel Island to both raise awareness around the issue and the importance of prevention efforts as well as support the training of adults in our community on the prevention of child abuse,” the press release states. “For every $2 donated, we will plant a pinwheel for a child on the school grounds across Daniel Island and the Philip Simmons Schools. You may also purchase pinwheels to display at your home or office to show support for our campaign.”

The pinwheels can be purchased at Refuel or online at www.bluepinwheels.com. They are available individually for $2, in a bouquet of 10 for $20 or 20 for $35. Funds raised will be used to sponsor pinwheels to represent the 2600 students at the Philip Simmons Schools, Daniel Island School and Bishop England High School. Additional funds will be donated to all four partner organizations to aid in providing education, training and treatment of child abuse.

“We have invited all the schools on Daniel Island and the Philip Simmons Schools to participate by placing a pinwheel on the grounds of the schools representing each student,” continued the press release.

Why pinwheels? According to Sue Koblin, a volunteer for the DI Exchange Club, which has been involved with the Pinwheels for Great Childhood program for two years, the pinwheel has become the national symbol representing that all children deserve safe and happy childhoods.

“A pinwheel is a carefree way to symbolize that happy childhood,” said Koblin. “The pinwheel has been the symbol since 2008…We hope that through our awareness campaign that when people see the pinwheel, they’ll know what it means.”

Child abuse can happen anywhere, in any community. Based on local statistics, Daniel Island is not immune. According to the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, in the 29492 area code alone, 136 children experience sexual abuse, sexual assault or physical abuse every year. Additionally, 397 children, including the 136, experience some form of interpersonal violence.

“With Daniel Island being an affluent neighborhood, it’s important for adults to realize that this does happen in your neighborhood and it is a very real topic,” said Adria Shuford, communications director for the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. “We do need to talk about it. It does take a community. It takes teachers, coaches, adults, people who may not even be parents. It takes so many people working together and it starts with awareness.”

To donate, purchase pinwheel bouquets or learn more about the campaign go to www.bluepinwheels.com. Pinwheel bouquets purchased online can be picked up Monday through Friday at First Citizens Bank on Seven Farms Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your receipt and ask for Beckie Davey.

Additionally, Koblin added, pinwheels will be available for purchase at the Family Circle Tennis Center after the conclusion of the Volvo Car Open and at the first concert series on Friday, April 13.