Staff Writer
HOULTON, Maine — In recognition of the need to support every child with a healthy, safe and nurturing environment, the Aroostook Council for Healthy Families is promoting the national campaign throughout April to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect. In the 2008 annual report, Maine’s child protective services reported that there were 6,178 reports involving 12,141 children assigned to a caseworker for a child protective assessment. “The hospital has agreed to display a pinwheel garden that raises awareness about child abuse prevention and things we can do to strengthen and support families in the area,” says Danielle Langley who directs the Aroostook Council for Healthy Families. Some of the things she cited were as simple as hugging your child, telling a story or playing a game with your child. When out and about, she says consider letting a mother with young children on a grocery line in the supermarket go ahead of you at checkout.
Patrice Lunnie, volunteer manager at Houlton Regional Hospital, agreed and said “we think it’s important for parents to think about their children and be so grateful to have them because they are an asset to our town and our community and ourselves.” Lunnie accepted a pinwheel garden for the lobby which will have leaflets for the public to read and take home. The pinwheels were chosen for the campaign because they represent uplifting symbols of a happy childhood.
Among the family events scheduled for April are Pool Play in Houlton at Shiretown Motor Inn, Tuesday, April 21 from 6-7 p.m. On Wednesday, April 22 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Pool Play will be in Eagle Lake at Northern Maine Aquatics on Carter Street. The following week, Giggles & Wiggles is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 from 6-7 p.m. at the Presque Isle Recreation Department.
