Reno, Nev. April 3, 2023. Spring in northern Nevada means sunshine, the smell of popcorn, a delicious hot dog, the crack of the bat, and all the ballpark feels that come with the return of your Reno Aces, but this year, all of that will include hundreds of blue, spinning pinwheels.
The Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA), National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, Northern Nevada Legal Aid, and the Reno Aces invite the community to join us in turning the ballpark’s lawn blue by planting hundreds of pinwheels in front of Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 11 a.m., as April is National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. The pinwheels are a critical part of a national awareness campaign, representing the joyful, carefree childhood every kid deserves.
HSA received 7,173 reports of child abuse and/or neglect and reunified 261 children with their families during Fiscal Year 2022. Child abuse and/or neglect is defined by Nevada Revised Statute Section 250.508, as “Willfully causing a minor (a child under the age of 18) to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering.” When suspecting child abuse and/or neglect, we ask the community to contact Washoe County HSA Child Protective Services at 833-900-SAFE.
Who: HSA, Reno Aces, WCSO, NCJFCJ, Northern Nevada Legal Aid and Washoe County DA’s Office.
What: Planting Pinwheels for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
Where: Greater Nevada Field lawn, located at 250 Evans Ave., Reno.
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Media: Video and interviews available on-site.
Contact: Washoe County HSA Communications Manager Chris Ciarlo at Cciarlo@washoecounty.gov.
“It is important to provide a safe, secure, and healthy community for our county’s most vulnerable children and this campaign raises the awareness needed to help us toward that goal,” said HSA Children’s Services Division Director Ryan Gustafson. “We thank all of our amazing partners for helping plant pinwheels, and ask everyone to join us in being vigilant, raising awareness, and reporting any suspected child abuse or neglect.”
“This is an opportunity to visibly demonstrate our mission of giving every child the ability to succeed, and to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment,” said Joey Orduña Hastings, CEO of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).“ The NCJFCJ believes that communities, through judicial leadership, can effectuate change on behalf of children and families. The pinwheels allow the public to recognize this month as something we should be aware of throughout the year.”
In addition to Greater Nevada Field, hundreds of pinwheels have been planted at the following locations throughout the community:
- Washoe County Human Services Agency.
- Washoe County Administration Complex.
- Washoe County Family Engagement Center.
- District Attorney’s Office (Washoe County Child Advocacy Center).
Learn more about National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
Get your tickets to the Reno Aces.
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