Pinwheels placed to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention
The pinwheels represent playfulness, joy and a carefree childhood. They serve as a reminder to protect and nurture our children and that prevention is possible if we are brave enough to intervene. Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign for child abuse prevention.
“In the U.S., five children die every day from abuse or neglect, and in 80% of those cases at least one parent was involved. Communities have got to come together and find ways to identify and protect those children who are at risk,” said Melissa Wagner, program director of child safety and advocacy at Geisinger. “We hope that the pinwheels remind community members that if they suspect abuse, they should report it. You just never know when you might be saving a child’s life.”
Child Advocacy Center staff members who took part in the pinwheel planting included: (from left) Lynn Gray, sexual assault nurse examiner; Melissa Wagner; Sherry Moroz, forensic interviewer; Alexis Smith, program coordinator; and Jessica Eisely, victim advocate.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.