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Queens from around Chilton County led the pinwheel parade from Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center to Clanton Corner Park. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Some of the queens plant their pinwheels in the Clanton Corner Park garden. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Business owners, government officials and other residents joined Butterfly Bridge for the kickoff event. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The crowd walking through downtown Clanton during the pinwheel parade. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

A child plants his pinwheel in the Clanton Corner Park. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The pinwheel garden will remain up throughout the month of April. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center kicked off its most important month with a pinwheel parade on April 4. April is child abuse prevention month, and Butterfly Bridge has many events planned for the month, beginning with the parade.

Government officials, business owners and Butterfly Bridge board members gathered at the nonprofit for a short ceremony that included a proclamation that was read and signed by Judges Jason Calhoun and Chris Speaks.

“This month is really about the entire community protecting children, and that is why we invite the community out and do this beautiful visual display,” Jana Zuelzke, executive director at Butterfly Bridge, said. “The month is so important because communities can learn better ways to protect children.”

From there, 133 pinwheels were passed out to those in attendance representing the 133 children that received care from Butterfly Bridge in Chilton County last year. The queens in Chilton County led the way with a banner that read “Pinwheels for Prevention,” and the parade went down Sixth Street North to Clanton Corner Park. There, all 133 pinwheels were planted in the flower beds, and the pinwheel garden was created.

Around the state of Alabama and the United States in April, pinwheel gardens will be prevalent and honor children who have been victims of child abuse, and are now survivors.

Jana said she gets questions throughout April about the pinwheels. This gives her an opportunity to speak about the important services Butterfly Bridge provides, and how widespread child abuse is in Chilton County and across the country.

During the rest of April, Butterfly Bridge has many events planned such as business givebacks where a portion of the proceeds for a business that day goes back to Butterfly Bridge. More updates on upcoming events can be found on the Butterfly Bridge social media pages.

“That is the main thing we have going on in April,” Zuelzke said. “It is really easy to go to a local restaurant and enjoy a meal with your family, and in return you are giving back to kids in our community who need the services that we provide.”

Also, during April Butterfly Bridge is encouraging people to wear blue every Friday to bring awareness to child abuse and share it with the nonprofit on its social media pages.

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