For the third consecutive year home and school associations and student councils have come together to be a part of the CAC's Pinwheels for Prevention program. An initiative of Prevent Child Abuse America, the focus of the Pinwheels for Prevention program is to not only raise awareness of child abuse but, more importantly, transform that awareness into action.

Child Advocacy Center Board Member Mary Helen Park explained that each participating school had blue and silver pinwheels available on site. For a minimum donation of $1.00 staff and students may add their name to paper pinwheel that is on display at their school. All donations benefit the CAC and its efforts to combat child abuse in Oswego County. Mylar pinwheels will soon be planted in front of the schools. "We will be planting at least 93 Mylar pinwheels, with each pinwheel representing 5 children that received services from the CAC," said Park.

The Pinwheels for Prevention program is one of the events kicking off the CAC's Be The End campaign. The Be The End campaign will officially be announced at the agency's annual meeting to be held April 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the American Foundry in Oswego. The centerpiece of the Be The End campaign is an initiative known as "Unto the Third Generation." A bold initiative that outlines the necessary steps a community must take to eliminate child abuse in three generations. According to CAC Executive Director Karrie Damm the Be The End Campaign is the first step in the Unto the Third Generation initiative.

"I'm excited about our "Be The End Campaign," said Damm. "The response we have received to our Pinwheels for Prevention program is inspiring. It's bringing the community together and empowering our school districts to raise awareness in the fight against child abuse. We are looking forward to seeing pinwheels on display at our schools. Pinwheels are the representation that every child deserves a happy, healthy, safe childhood."

Damm added that the CAC's Annual Meeting and Luncheon is open to the public with a suggested donation of $20. For more information on the Child Advocacy Center and to make reservations to attend its annual meeting, register at www.eventbrite.com/BeTheEnd or contact the CAC at 315-59-CHILD.

Located at 301 Beech Street in Fulton, the CAC is a non-profit organization that works hand-in-hand with local law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, medical providers, mental health providers, and victim advocacy professionals in Oswego County to protect and serve child victims of sexual and physical abuse. In 2014 the CAC served 465 children and families in Oswego County.