Planting pinwheels to raise awareness
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 22, 2018 5:50 AM
The annual child abuse proclamation ceremony, kicking off April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, will take place on Tuesday, March 27, at 10 a.m. on the steps of City Hall, said Nola Claiborne of Goldsboro Pediatrics, one of the organizers.
Several agencies in Wayne County have historically worked to raise awareness on the subject and focus on one central message, she said -- Every child matters.
"Goldsboro Pediatrics has been the lead agency for the past few years. Before that it was the Department of Social Services and WAGES," she said. "We're claiming the importance of recognizing child abuse and neglect, to keep every child safe."
The gathering downtown at City Hall has become a staple each spring, along with the more visible reminder -- pinwheel gardens popping up around the county.
The colorful children's toy is the symbol of the fight against child abuse, Claiborne said.
"It's a reminder that every child matters," she said.
This year the topic has spawned two events, doubling efforts to create visible reminders around the community.
The public is invited to both the March 27 ceremony on Center Street as well as the raising of the children's memorial flag on April 10 at the YMCA at noon.
"We're really happy that we're going to have two events," Claiborne said. "We have got a great lineup of local dignitaries and speakers at the first, and Dr. Dave Tayloe of Goldsboro Pediatrics will speak at the children's memorial flag ceremony."
The proclamation ceremony next week will feature remarks from Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen as well as Kate Daniels from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Mozingo from the Sheriff's Office speaking about the state of the county and representatives from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Wayne County Health Director Davin Madden will talk about the public health side of the child abuse issue, and Judge Ericka James will read the proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Dillard Middle School choir will perform several selections.
Businesses and agencies interested in participating in the pinwheel garden effort are invited to contact Ms. Claiborne at 919-734-4736.