Hannibal, Mo. – Community members are invited and encouraged to attend the Community PinwheelCeremony on April 7, 2025 at 1pm at the Hannibal Riverfront in Rotary Pavillion in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) at least one in seven children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. Within the 10th circuit district made up of Marion, Monroe, and Ralls Counties there are nearly 250 children in foster care. Child abuse and neglect have long-lasting effects.Prevention of child abuse and neglect is vital to building stronger families and communities.
The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention. A pinwheel display will be assembled at the ceremony in an effort to raise awareness and encourage our community to work together to support andstrengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect.
In addition to creating the pinwheel display, the Pinwheel Ceremony will highlight the work of United Way Community Impact Agencies that respond to and prevent child abuse within our local community.
Testimonials of those agencies, including Coyote Hill, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) at DouglassCommunity Services, The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Birthday Blessings, and Hannibal Parents as Teachers (who provide a parenting class for the local Children’s Division office) will share about their work.
Community members who work directly in the field of preventing and responding to child abuse will be honored.
For more information about the Community Pinwheel Ceremony visit http://unitedwaymta.org or call 573-221-2761.
The United Way of the Mark Twain Area works towards the mission, “to increase the capacity of peopleto care for one another.” This is done by creating opportunities for
individuals to give of their time, talents, and treasures to local organizations that work to empower all individuals to achieve their potential.
