At The Children’s Center, Child Abuse Prevention Month is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect children, support families, and build a safer future for the next generation. Throughout April 2026, our community came together to Wear Blue, plant Pinwheels, and walk side by side as a visible sign of hope for every child on their pathway to healing while inspiring action and fostering community connection.
Here are some of the highlights from this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month in Medina County.
Wear Blue Day
Our Board of Directors proudly wore blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month, showing their commitment to keeping children safe and walking beside them on their pathway to healing.
Photo, back row from left: Damon Hacker, Joan Pritchett, Mary Toth, Abby Jones, Barbara Michelson, Jessica Heid, Kim Miller, Chrissy Kungli; front row from left – Chief Ed Kinney, Renee Hawke, Clarissa Greer, Amanda Hansen, Mike English, Steve Ferris, Julia Zettl
The Children Center of Medina County’s staff is proudly Wearing Blue in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and protected.
Photo, back row from left: Kristen Minichello, Ellysa, Anna Guy-Leach; front row from left: Madison Davisson, Brandi, Erin Grohe
Pinwheel Garden Project
Pinwheel Walk
Video by flora and film
Photography by Pam Flora
Thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated their time, talent, and resources to help make the Pinwheel Walk a wonderful event!
Family Activities and Resource Tables
We are excited to have several new organizations participating for the first time this year:
- Bellefaire JCB
- Biker’s Unbroken
- Canine Companions
- Catholic Charities Medina County
- DDad’s Food Truck
- Goldie Linx Cle
- Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
- Lerch’s Donuts
- Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities
- Medina County Career Center Students
- Medina County Juvenile Detention Center
- Medina High School National Honor Society Students
- Medina Recreation Center
- OhioGuidestone
- Rita Davis brought her Miniature Horses
Many amazing organizations joined us again this year to stand with Survivors of Child Abuse. We are so grateful for the support of:
- Bubbles & Bows LLC
- Cooper Flora (Videographer) and Pam Flora (Photographer)
- Enchantaroo Face & Body Art
- The Fairytale Foundation
- Huntington
- Medina City Auxiliary Police
- Medina County Coalition Against Human Trafficking
- Medina County District Library
- Medina County Job and Family Services
- Small Hands Big Dreams Learning Center
- Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio
We are grateful for volunteers David Barlow, Jenine Tanner, Charlcie Towne and Quill Towne, who marked the locations for the Pinwheels to be planted. The Tanner Family helped prep the garden. John Minichello and Pam Flora prepared and hung the banners. The Children’s Center Staff and the Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee set up the event. Lodi Loyal Lads and Lassies 4-H Club for cleaning, sorting, and counting Pinwheels. Anna Guy-Leach, Amanda Hansen, Ron Stollar, Mary Toth, and Charlcie Towne registered attendees on site. Abby Jones and Joan Pritcett answered questions about The Children’s Center at the Outreach Table while Medina National Honor Society Students, Medina County Career Center Students, Amanda Hansen, and Jenine Tanner passed out Pinwheels for attendees to plant in the Pinwheel Garden. John Minichello took charge of the audio system, providing music and microphones.
Thank you to City of Medina Mayor Jim Shields and Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley for presenting Proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Madison Davisson did a fantastic job as the emcee. The Medina Police Department Auxiliary helped control traffic, keeping everyone safe.
A very special thank you to Heather Setser for bravely sharing her experience overcoming the impact of Child Abuse and Neglect. The Medina County District Library has been a wonderful host and a fantastic location for the Pinwheel Garden.
