HONOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH WITH CAN COUNCIL

March 13, 2017
By: Josh Sharrow

Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) challenges our community to examine the impact of child abuse and what we CAN do to prevent it. The pinwheel represents the healthy, happy, full life all children deserve. By planting a garden of blue pinwheels you are helping to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect in our community. Help the CAN Council further their impact on the Great Lakes Bay Region in April by getting involved:

March 31: Bay County Kick-Off at the Bay County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).
"A Prayer for Children" and the County Proclamation will be read. A small reception with cookies and punch, donated by McDonald's Restaurant, will follow a pinwheel planting in Essexville on March 31st at 11:30am at the Bay County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) (1399 W. Center Road, Essexville, MI 48732).

April 4: Saginaw County Kick-Off at the Saginaw County Courthouse.
"A Prayer for Children" and the County Proclamation will be read, followed by a pinwheel planting with the Saginaw Exchange Club members along Michigan Avenue on April 4th at noon at the Saginaw County Courthouse (111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602).

Throughout April: Meet a friend for coffee or lunch and buy a pinwheel.
Area McDonald's Restaurants will sell pinwheels for $1 each throughout the month of April. Purchase one and "plant it" at your office or at home.

The Kids Count in Michigan Data Book 2016 revealed that there were 988 confirmed child abuse victims, and 8,418 children in families investigated for abuse and neglect in Bay and Saginaw Counties. In these situations, the CAN Council provides strong advocates and dedicated professionals to help end the violence and neglect. CAN also offers supportive education to parents struggling with the day-to-day frustrations of raising children.

For more information on any of these activities, contact the CAN Council at (989) 752-7226 or visit cancouncil.org.