Prevent Child Abuse America and Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan to Turn the 'Big Apple' into the 'Big Pinwheel' on April 16

NEW YORK, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prevent Child Abuse America will turn the "Big Apple" into the "Big Pinwheel" today with a display of more than 5,000 pinwheels – the new national symbol for child abuse prevention – in Times Square to call people to action in support of healthy child development and to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month.  This will be the signature event of the national Pinwheels for Prevention^® campaign, which has seen nearly 3 million pinwheels distributed since its launch in 2008.

Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, who hails from New York and whose personal platform is child sexual abuse prevention, is event spokesperson, and "Extra!" Correspondent, A.J. Calloway, will emcee.  Participating sponsor Hedge Funds Care – Preventing and Treating Child Abuse, and promotional partners NBA Cares, Manhattan Magazine, www.ties.com and SparkAction, are providing support.  Over 250 volunteers will participate to help create the display. 

"As Miss America, I have the opportunity to share my family's personal story of child sexual abuse. I have witnessed firsthand the need to stop the abuse of children before it starts and I am proud to work with wonderful organizations such as Prevent Child Abuse America to call attention to this very important subject. Together, we can shine a national spotlight on this issue that needs and deserves our attention," said Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan.

To support the campaign, the public can:

• "Sponsor" pinwheels in the Big Pinwheel Garden at www.pinwheelsforprevention.org/give; 
• Donate $10 by texting PINWHEEL to 20222* (powered by www.givebycell.com); 
• Purchase a tie from Prevent Child Abuse America's Collection at www.ties.com, inspired by NBA stars Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love and Ronny Turiaf, and Pro Football Player Lawrence Jackson; 
• Volunteer for a Prevent Child Abuse America state chapter; or,
• Become more informed or purchase pinwheels by visiting www.preventchildabuse.org. 

"Each and every one of us can and must play a role when it comes to ensuring the healthy development, and prevention of the abuse of, our nation's children," said Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO, James M. Hmurovich.  "If 90% of the public knows that child abuse is a serious issue, then let the Big Pinwheel Garden serve as our reminder that not only must we act for the future of our nation, but we must act now."

The Big Pinwheel Garden is a grander version of what is and has been done by Prevent Child Abuse America chapters nationwide throughout April.  From a botanic garden in Virginia to "palm trees and pinwheels" in Florida to the capitol lawn in multiple states to "painting the town blue" in Indiana, pinwheels are blowing in the breeze from coast to coast, standing as a symbol for the healthy and happy childhoods all children deserve.

Volunteer and additional promotional support provided by Kappa Delta, Sigma Delta Tau and the General Federationince its launch in April 2008 of Women's Clubs.

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 581 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 41 states, all the 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.

Ben Tanzer, Prevent Child Abuse America
(312) 806-4066
[email protected] 

SOURCE Prevent Child Abuse America