Local agency marks Child Abuse Awareness Month

Posted on April 30, 2017
The McLean County Child Protection Network supports victims of child abuse in McLean, Livingston and DeWitt counties. (WJBC file photo)

By Greg Halbleib and Cynthia Grau

PONTIAC – A local child protection services agency is wrapping up its efforts during this Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The McLean County Child Protection Network has worked with student groups during April to place symbolic pinwheels throughout its service area.

“Each one of those pinwheels represents a child that during 2016 was either interviewed at one of the children’s advocacy centers or a child who received the support of a CASA (court appointed special advocacy),” said Judy Donze, a board member of the network.

Donze said 418 pinwheels were placed at various locations in McLean, Livingston and DeWitt counties. She added that students were not only involved with placing the pinwheels, but with raising funds for the Child Protection Network.

“We can help through fundraising provide gas cards to take children to counseling, grocery cards, different household items if they’ve had to leave their home, personal supplies,” Donze explained. “All of the fundraising that’s done goes to support kids and their parents.”

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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