Updated 4/4/2021 5:39 PM
An array of pinwheels on display in Naperville is symbolic of the vision that motivates local child abuse prevention advocates: hope, health and happiness for all children.
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the pinwheel garden will remain in place through April outside Safety Town at the corner of Aurora Avenue and River Road. It was built this past weekend by members of the Exchange Club of Naperville, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois and the Naperville Junior Woman s Club Juniorettes to shine a light on the issue and raise awareness for effective solutions.
In Naperville, we don t really think this happens . but we are not immune to child abuse, said Jennifer Samartano, northern region prevention specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. If you see something, say something, because you could be the only lifeline to helping that child.
It s been a long, hard year of not being able to sing at the top of our lungs while spilling beer on strangers at a concert, or making a mess of ourselves while eating delicious food in front of hundreds of people. I think it s also safe to say most of us never realized how much we needed those opportunities until they had been ripped from under us in the interest of safety.
I don t want to be overly optimistic here, but it feels like we have finally reached the point in this pandemic where normal life will finally return. If we all keep behaving sensibly, fun will return. Concerts are being planned. Big festivals are announcing their 2021 dates..let s all make it our mission to not mess it up!