Pinwheels push vital message

SANDUSKY — With April marking National Child Abuse Prevention Month, many local initiatives are taking place, bringing much attention to this prevention period. Among the more public: 1,144 pinwheels now populate the lawn outside Erie County Common Pleas Court in Sandusky near the library. But why 1,144? "These pinwheels represent the number of children served by the children services department in Erie County in 2025," according to a statement from Erie County Job and Family Services. "These pinwheels serve as a reminder that there is hope for children who suffer abuse and neglect, symbolize that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood and solidify a promise that we must work together to prevent and end abuse." Last week, about 50 elementary students from Sandusky Central Catholic School pushed the blue pinwheels in place. On a related note, also last week, students from the Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Program with Sandusky Schools will paint Erie County Job and Family Services' front windows with an awareness display. Wear blue on Wednesday As in years past, officials representing Erie County Job and Family Services want everyone in the local community to wear blue on Wednesday. "Wear Blue is a statewide awareness campaign that takes place on the second Wednesday of every April," according to the local agency. "The community is encouraged to wear blue that day to increase awareness and show support for preventing child abuse and neglect." The agency also encourages people to take individual and/or group photos of people — family members, co-workers, friends, etc. — dressed in blue and share those images on social media, using the hashtags #OhioWearsBlue2026 and #ItTakesACommunity. People can also email those photos to jackie.bellamy@jfs.ohio.gov. Photos emailed to the agency will be used to promote this initiative.