Actor Josh Charles And Prevent Child Abuse America Transform Times Square Into Big Pinwheel Garden

NEW YORK, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Good Wife" actor Josh Charles helped Prevent Child Abuse America transform Times Square into the Big Pinwheel Garden yesterday to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month and promote the pinwheel as the symbol for healthy starts for all children.  Charles was joined by Manhattan magazine's Cristina Cuomo and over 200 volunteers, holding nearly 5,000 pinwheels to create the display.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140414/CL03545 )

"I hope to be a father someday soon, and I feel strongly that living an innocent, care-free life isn't a right for just SOME children. It's the right for ALL children, regardless of the neighborhood they grow up in – or their socio-economic status," said Charles.  "I care about the welfare of the next generation. Children are the artists, the politicians, the engineers, the doctors, the scientists of tomorrow, and I want to see ALL of them have the chance to lead full, productive, and safe lives."

The Times Square Big Pinwheel Garden is one of many such activities taking place across the country throughout April's Child Abuse Prevention Month, and is the signature event of the organization's Pinwheels for Prevention^® campaign, through which Prevent Child Abuse America has distributed more than 3.5 million pinwheels nationwide since April 2008.

"According to UNICEF, the U.S. ranks poorly in children's issues, including being 32^nd out of 34 industrialized nations in terms of child poverty and 26^th out of 29 in terms of overall well-being. Realities like these should serve as a wake-up call and that we can and must do better," said Jim Hmurovich, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America.  "Pinwheel gardens are calls-to-action, some as simple as to provide the personal attention to families and children that each of us, from time to time, have needed ourselves. The pinwheels remind us that our nation does not have a national strategy to promote the healthy development of each child, regardless of their circumstances.  This must change and our call to action must be to change our personal behavior, attitudes and social norms to value children; all children."

To support Prevent Child Abuse America's efforts, the public can:

• Help a neighbor in need by offering to baby-sit or give parents a break
• Volunteer for your Prevent Child Abuse America state chapter or another child-serving agency
• Donate at www.pinwheelsforprevention.org/give  
• Donate $10 by texting PINWHEEL to 20222* (powered by www.givebycell.com)

About Prevent Child Abuse America
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 50 states and more than 600 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 39 states, the U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we're doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites at www.preventchildabuse.org or www.healthyfamiliesamerica.org.

*A one-time donation of $10.00 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donor must be age 18+ and all donations must be authorized by the account holder (e.g. parents). By texting YES, the user agrees to the terms and conditions. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the "Prevent Child Abuse America" by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. Message & Data Rates May Apply. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to shortcode 20222; text HELP to 20222 for help.

CONTACT:
Ben Tanzer
(312-806-4066)
[email protected]

SOURCE Prevent Child Abuse America