Correspondent photos / Nancilynn Gatta Maebree Faibian, 15, of North Bloomfield, and a homeschool junior, holds the box of pinwheels that she attached to their sticks. Fabian brought the pinwheels to participants from The Touch of Class Horse Club who planted 1,373 of them in the lawn in front of Warren G. Harding High School.

WARREN — Trumbull County Children Services will host its annual Pinwheels for Prevention ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Warren G. Harding High School Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Over the weekend, the Touch of Class Horse Club placed pinwheels in front of the Harding facade near the intersection of Elm Road and Atlantic Street. With the theme of “Planting Hope in Trumbull County,” TCCS kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month with the pinwheel display.

Marilyn Pape, executive director of TCCS, will address the importance of “see something, say something,” especially during times when children may be isolated. In addition, Warren Municipal Court Judge Patricia Knepp will be the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s event.

TCCS has hosted the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign for the last 21 years. Pape said throughout the month of April, the agency’s staff will wear blue to show support for a safe, loving home for every child.

Officials said the traditional pinwheel garden display will feature 1,373 pinwheels, each representing one report of child maltreatment in Trumbull County in 2025. The pinwheels also represent adults who became an advocate for a child by reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

Pinwheels for Prevention is based on the belief that while the public understands that child abuse is a serious problem, there is less understanding of what it means to prevent child abuse and neglect and the role we play in speaking up for prevention.

• For the safety of any child, “if you see something, say something.” In addition to mandated reporters, any concerned citizen can make a good faith report to Children Services when abuse or neglect is suspected. Reports are 100% anonymous.

• Learn more about child abuse prevention and become a messenger for prevention. TCCS has a speaker’s bureau of employees who will present to community groups about services and prevention.

• Lend your voice to bring about change for children in the United States and affect the policies that impact children and their communities.

* Volunteer your time and talent to organizations that focus on children and their families and help the community bring services to families with mental illness, substance abuse and violence, which in most cases play a role in child maltreatment.

• Consider becoming a foster caregiver or a mentor to a child in the agency’s care.

For information about services or to learn more about becoming a foster caregiver or a mentor to a child, contact Allesha Ciminero at 330-372-2010 or Allesha.Ciminero@jfs.ohio.gov.