Donovan Park to host Pinwheel 5K fundraiser for Pediatric Resource Center
Donovan Park will be ceremonially renamed Pinwheel Park the weekend of April 20 to support the Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) and raise awareness about child abuse prevention in central Illinois. This coincides with the PRC Pinwheel 5K on April 20. All proceeds from the 5K will support the PRC’s efforts to provide specialized, child-friendly medical and social services for children who may be facing abuse or neglect.
The cross-country-style Pinwheel 5K Run/Walk will be held on April 20 and will include a Kids Fun Run as well as a Virtual 5K Fun Run/Walk for participants unable to participate in-person. The cost for registration is $30 for the 5K and $10 for the Kids Fun Run. To sign up and learn more: Pinwheel5k.org
News story continued Heading link
National Symbol for Child Abuse Prevention
“April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and pinwheels have been the national symbol for child abuse prevention since 2008,” said Stephanie Johnson, Executive Director of the PRC. “We’re very thankful that Peoria Park District’s Donovan Park is supporting the cause by ceremonially changing its name and hosting the Pinwheel 5K event.”
On average, one in four girls and one in six boys will face child abuse or neglect before reaching 18 years old. Over the past year, the PRC evaluated a record number of potential abuse cases – over 500 children in total. National Child Abuse Prevention month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
For over 30 years, the Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) has provided child-friendly, specialized medical exams, and social services to children who are suspected victims of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. The PRC is the only program in the region providing complete, head-to-toe examinations in a child-friendly manner and setting by specially trained medical staff.
The PRC is a community service program of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, is affiliated with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and serves as the child abuse team for the hospital.