By Ashley Antonini

BLOOMINGTON – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and a local organization is celebrating by decorating the town in blue.

Bloomington’s Children’s Home and Aid has officially kicked off Child Abuse Prevention month with their annual Balloon Release and Brunch event. Organization members spent their morning tying blue bows around the organization’s Campus as well launching blue balloons into the sky.

Children’s Home and Aid Regional Vice President Lisa Piper, explained that these events help raise awareness.

“By putting out the blue bows, we are trying to raise community awareness for that event [Child Abuse Prevention Month] and just celebrate the great work that our staff and program are doing to help families in McLean County,” said Piper.

Piper also believes that their is little discussion on the matter in Bloomington Normal. She hopes that this month people will see that child abuse is prevalent in the local community.

“Child abuse is a problem in McLean County and it is a problem in Bloomington-Normal,” said Piper. “And when you see a blue bow we would like to you to think that’s a child who’s been hurt, that’s a child who has experienced a trauma.”

After the balloon release, community and organization members gathered for a complimentary brunch.

Children’s Home and Aid will also be hosting a Family Fun Night on April 17 and 5k Run on April 21 to continue their celebration for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Children’s Home and Aid is an organization dedicated to helping children in need by offering teachers, mentors, and access to various resources within the community. The organization has been a part of McLean County for nearly 130 years.

Ashley Antonini can be reached at [email protected].