More than 4,118 pinwheels will be on display on the Ohio State campus starting April 13, representing half of the cases of child abuse or neglect that were reported in Franklin County in 2007. “The display is very eye catching,” said Brittany Brose, a senior in speech and hearing. “Four thousand sounds like a lot, but when you actually see how much space the display takes up, it really makes you stop and think what it stands for and represents.” Because April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the display will be up April 13-17 on the South Oval, and is sponsored by Serving with Honor and the Honors and Scholars Center at OSU, along with Prevent Child Abuse Ohio. “It’s to raise awareness about child abuse and to work towards alleviating child abuse,” said Sara Kolhoff, a junior in Spanish and international studies. “It’s such a powerful display because everybody understands that no child should ever be abused, and the pinwheels show this many children that have to deal with that. People are more apt to help when they can see things, and this shows this is something that they could get themselves involved with; it’s really about helping better society.” In addition to the display, Serving with Honor is raising money for Prevent Child Abuse Ohio through the Sponsor-A-Pinwheel program. Students, faculty, and staff can “sponsor” the pinwheels on display for $1. “Serving with Honor doesn’t get a penny; all of the proceeds go to helping families,” Kolhoff said. “It’s for a good cause; it shows that in some way you were able to help.” A dinner and a dialogue with child abuse survivors will be held 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at the Kuhn Honors and Scholars House. “It’s a great place to get more information about Prevent Child Abuse Ohio,” Brose said. “The dinner and dialogue is incredible, and it’s a really good opportunity to talk with someone who’s lived through it and has survived.” The campaign is still looking for volunteers during the week of the display, and students are encouraged to e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Caitlin O’Neil can be reached at [email protected].
