Pinwheels for prevention | Community plants 728 pinwheels in honor of child abuse victims

Rain and blustering winds were not enough to keep Hood County residents away from the Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center’s annual pinwheel planting and kite festival on March 30.

The event — held in conjunction with PRCAC and the Hood County Child Protective Services board of directors — is a way to both honor and kick-off Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

Although the possibility of a downpour hindered the kite flying portion of the event on Thursday, the rest of the afternoon went off without a hitch, as 728 pinwheels were successfully planted at Hewlett Park. Each pinwheel planted represented a child abuse report made in Hood County in 2022.

“There are three ways that reports happen,” Tracy Cooper-Ives, director of community education and engagement at PRCAC, said during the event. “Either someone witnesses abuse, and then reports it, someone suspects abuse, and they report it, or a child actually tells someone that they were abused, and someone reports it.”

She added that it’s important for everyone to recognize the signs associated with child abuse because only one out of 10 victims will ever tell anyone.

"That's why we have to learn the signs to recognize those things so that we can be their voice because we want to be there for those other nine kids that wouldn't tell,” Cooper-Ives said. “And if you suspect abuse, you don't have to have evidence. The law actually says to report on suspicion, so if you're thinking, ‘Should I report?’ The answer is ‘Yes,’ and then it's the investigator’s job to figure it out from there. It’s sad that we have 728 pinwheels to plant, but it also means that people are reporting because we do know abuse is happening.”

During the event, Hood County Judge Ron Massingill read a proclamation proclaiming the month of April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month — adding that it takes a collective effort from the community and nonprofit organizations to make a difference.

"I think everybody knows how I view the children in Hood County to be our most important treasure and resource,” he said. "I pledge to you that I will do everything in my power to see that there are funds available to help the children of Hood County. So, let's stamp out this child abuse, and let's make sure they're fed and clothed properly so we can keep our treasure here in Hood County.”

Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds, who is also the president of the PRCAC, spoke at the event as well, advocating for a united front from the community in preventing child abuse.

"We need to pull together and do everything we can to keep these kids safe,” Deeds said. “They are our future.”

PATSY HEWLETT RECIPIENT

Every year during the pinwheel planting, the Hood County Child Protective Services board of directors also recognizes the recipient of the Patsy Hewlett Award.

In honor of Patsy Hewlett — who served as a secretary/treasurer of the Hood County Child Welfare Board in the 80s and early 90s — the award serves as an annual recognition of a person who has “made an exemplary contribution to the abused and neglected children of Hood County.”

Tami McGuire, president of the Hood County Child Protective Services and KASH for Kids board, presented this year’s Patsy Hewlett award to Mary Flores, adding that it was a “total unanimous vote.”

Flores is the crime victim liaison for the Hood County Sheriff’s Office and is also the sponsor for the GAP program created by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Hood County.

The Salvation Army GAP Program is a mentoring opportunity — available only in Hood County — designed to care for children currently in the foster care system. According to salvationarmytexas.org, volunteers are trained and paired with youths and meet once a month. Volunteers help with special interests and hobbies, goal setting, and life skills to prepare for the future.

"We're so proud of her,” McGuire said of Flores. “She has pretty much single-handedly run the GAP program for Salvation Army, but more importantly, how much she cares, and the time she devotes to it. That program is so vital because it doesn't just end when someone turns 18 and ages out of foster care. Their goal is to make sure that these children don't become homeless or repeat the same problems that they came from. That is her passion and her mission. She does an amazing job, and we are happy to offer her this award. Mary, we love you.”

Emotional and touched, Flores accepted the award and began her speech by thanking several individuals and programs for their help and guidance.

“I want to start off by saying ‘Thank you,’ because of what this award means for me,” she said. "The GAP program that was started by the Salvation Army and the Hood County Sheriff's Office is being recognized today; not me, but the program itself.”

Flores thanked Dr. Roger Coleman — the first person who donated to the GAP program — the GAP committee, the Salvation Army Extension Unit and Women’s Auxiliary, Senator Brian Birdwell, Sally Timmons, the GAP mentors, Deeds, and her own family.

She closed by saying how the PRCAC’s free screening of “REWIND,” and hearing the story of child abuse survivor and filmmaker Sasha Neulinger on March 29 greatly affected her.

"I heard Sasha’s story. I watched the documentary, and it hit home for me,” she added. "People think I'm just being a good person. No. I'm a survivor. It started at the age of six and ended at the age of 10. People planted seeds in me, and it's why I do what I do today. I want to encourage our community to do what the good book says. Don’t get tired of doing good. Take care of the orphans and take care of the widows. It takes the whole community to make a difference.”