MACON, Ga. — At the Atrium Health Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital Tuesday morning, a special ceremony was held to honor children and families in the community.
A pinwheel garden was planted on the corner of Pine and Spring Streets this morning in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Many came to speak about child abuse awareness, including D.A. Anita Howard, Mayor Lester Miller, folks from Bibb Family and Children's Services and more.
Miller issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as child abuse awareness month in Macon-Bibb County, stating that "every child deserves to be cared for in a safe, nurturing environment, free from verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse and neglect."
Howard spoke about how her team works with Atrium Health Navicent's Crescent House to bring justice to families and victims.
"Our Crimes Against Children Unit, we could not do what we do to protect children and give them a measure of justice without the Crescent House and without Kemberlie and all the folks that work with her."
She continued: "They are our angels. We need them in order to be able to get justice."
After the ceremony, nurses and hospital staff gathered to place the pinwheels in the ground - spinning for all to see.
Kemberlie Sanderson, manager of the Crescent House which advocates for victims of child abuse, says the wheels serve as a reminder that we must protect children.
"For me, pinwheels are a perfect example of a simple toy that requires nothing other than a child's imagination. And that's what we're really here about. We're here about protecting those innocent children and their innocent imaginations," she said.
Officials and advocates at the ceremony said if you see abuse happening or suspect a child may be in danger, say something.
You can call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office or 1-855-GACHILD to report physical or sexual abuse.