Richmond, Va. –
While April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Defense Department declares its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children all year long. In 2022, DOD leads these efforts with the campaign “All In To End Child Abuse.”
Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, is supporting this effort in a number of ways, including hosting a Pinwheel Parade April 15, that included more than 95 DSCR employees and their family members.
“The event couldn’t have gone any better. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who played a role in this campaign,” said Rhiannon Jackson, the family advocacy program manager in Security and Emergency Services for DLA Installation Management Richmond. “The parade was particularly special to me because it was the first in-person event I’ve been able to hold since COVID-19 restrictions have loosened up a bit. It was awesome to see everyone support the cause and our CDC children.”
The parade began at the Bettye Ackerman-Cobb Child Development Center and looped around Parker Pond before returning to the CDC to plant blue pinwheels in recognition of the event.
Police and fire vehicles, and mascots McGruff, the crime dog, and Sparky, the fire dog, rounded out the parade procession. Julio Clavell, DLA Installation Management Richmond chief of police spoke at the event.
“National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual observance in the United States, dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse,” said Clavell. “This month especially, but every day here on out, we as Americans must be the voice for victims of abuse and maltreatment. From the bottom of my heart not only as the chief of police but also as a father that everyone in our community make a diligent effort to report any child abuse and maltreatment incident that you see or know about.”
“Let us be the voice of these children and promote prevention before tragedy strikes,” said Clavell.
“All In To End Child Abuse” is DOD’s campaign to end child abuse within its communities. To learn how you can be a champion for child safety through your Family Advocacy Program, visit militaryonesource.mil/end-child-abuse.