Sacred Heart "plants" pinwheels in honor of children
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Sacred Heart employees—including Children's Hospital medical director Chris Olson, MD—braved wind and snow earlier this month to plant more than 2,700 colorful pinwheels. |
Celebrating April as Child Abuse Awareness Month may be a national endeavor, but here in Spokane, a multitude of organizations are taking it on as a very personal commitment. “Our Kids: Our business” and the accompanying pinwheel graphic identify places throughout our city determined to help make Spokane a safer place for children.
Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital is proud to participate in this program, and has demonstrated its support by “planting” pinwheels alongside the Doctor's Building parking garage on McClellan Street. More than 2,700 cheerful pinwheels represent the babies who were born at Sacred Heart in 2006. Another 300 pinwheels donated to St. Anne’s Children’s & Family Center represent the children we see in that facility through Sacred Heart's Cuddles ‘n’ Care program.
“This is one expression of our commitment to the Spokane community’s joint effort to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and awareness,” says Peggy Mangiaracina, executive director of the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. “In this one simple act, we are honoring the lives that began on our campus last year, cherishing the ones we continue to serve, and reminding all who pass by our campus that the innocence of children is to be protected at all costs.”
She continues, “We hope our small garden of pinwheels will help people realize there are things each of us can do to help stop abuse and to foster a healthier, safer community.”
Media support has been strong, with major feature stories presented in the news each day throughout the month of April. In addition, an “Our Kids” section at www.spokesmanreview.com features a long list of community resources, a calendar of events related to raising awareness and the opportunity to participate in online forums with local experts.
No matter what your role—professional care provider for children, a parent, or simply a concerned citizen—you can benefit from learning more about community resources, the State’s protocols for handling suspected abuse and more. Plus, you’ll feel inspired by the way our community is coming together for such an important cause. You may even decide to make a personal commitment to become involved yourself!
Child Abuse Prevention tips:
- Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
- Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.
- Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
- Teach your child the difference between “good touches,” “bad touches” and “confusing touches.”
- Ask questions; for example, when your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be with someone, this could be a red flag.
- Listen to them and believe what they say.
- Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, and inquire into it.
- Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.
- Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
- Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual understanding.
- Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
- Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only to you or someone you officially designate.
To learn more about child abuse prevention, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453), a 24-hour hotline staffed with professional counselors. Or visit www.childhelp.org.
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