Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana joined with other nonprofit agencies and local organizations Tuesday to raise awareness about child abuse prevention in Monroe. Among the organizations was ULM’s Student Social Work Association and School of Social Work who helped raise awareness by planting a pinwheel garden in Bayou Park.

The RSO sold pinwheels for a dollar alongside Dr. Pamela Saulsberry and Mrs. Andrea Black.

The pinwheels were later planted by fellow Warhawks, the Monroe mayor’s office and other community members. The pinwheel proceeds will go towards one child’s tuition at Seeker Springs, a non-profit ministry in Eros, Louisiana.

Law enforcement officers reminded people that everyone has a moral responsibility to report child abuse.

The pinwheel was introduced as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention  by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) in 2008. PCAA says the pinwheel has come to serve as the physical embodiment of whimsy and childlike notions. Today, it is the national symbol for happy and healthy kids, while April is national child abuse prevention month.

Other Monroe partners for the event include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana, the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, Families Helping Families, Families in Need of Services, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and Northeast Delta Human Services Authority.

The pinwheels will stay planted for about two more weeks.