CASA of the Heartland partners with Meade County Bank for Pinwheels for Prevention -- bringing attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month

CASA of the Heartland hosted their second annual Meade County Pinwheel Planting community event on Wednesday at Meade County Bank in Brandenburg, inviting members of the community to plant 750 pinwheels as part of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. 

Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign used as a reminder of the uplifting and great childhood that all children deserve. The blue and white pinwheels represent hope, health and happiness for the children that CASA serves in the Meade County community.

"Our hope is that by hosting this event in Meade County, we can raise awareness about child abuse prevention and help our community recognize the signs of abuse and neglect," said CASA of the Heartland Executive Director Michelle Kail. "For the children who have already experienced abuse, it is critical that they are not alone. CASA volunteers stand beside these children to ensure their voices are heard and that their best interests are represented, helping them move toward safe, stable, and permanent homes."

The pinwheels will remain on display through the end of April to highlight the importance of preventing child abuse and advocating for children who have been affected. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, strengthening families and encouraging communities to play an active role in preventing child maltreatment.

CASA of the Heartland was originally organized in Hardin County in 2007 to recruit, train and support community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected and dependent children under the protection of the Hardin County Family Court system. Over the past three years, CASA has expanded to include LaRue, Meade, Breckinridge, Grayson and Hart counties.

A pinwheel planting event also took place in LaRue County on Tuesday. Additional events are set to take place in Hardin County on Thursday, Breckinridge County on Monday, March 30, Hart County on Tuesday, March 31 and Grayson County on Thursday, April 2.

CASA of the Heartland is actively seeking volunteers to serve local children who are on a waitlist for a CASA volunteer in Meade County. To get involved with CASA of the Heartland or to learn more about their mission, visit casaheartland.org or call 270-982-2274. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Heartland is a non-profit child advocacy organization based in Elizabethtown, Ky., that serves all of Hardin, LaRue, Grayson, Breckinridge, Meade, Hart counties, and Fort Knox. CASA recruits, trains, and supports a network of volunteers, who are court-appointed to act as advocates for abused and neglected children under the protection of the County Family Court system. For many abused children, a CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives—an adult who is dedicated to watching out for them and who advocates for their best interest alone.