Pinwheels walk brings more awareness

For the past three years, Carol Williams has looked forward to walking from Millennium Park to Fox Peak to bring awareness to child abuse as part of the Pinwheels for Prevention program.

Saturday was no different despite the morning rain, which stopped long enough for the walkers to complete their trek.

“It’s important, especially in Native American country. So many of us came from child abuse that we know what it’s like,” she said clutching three pinwheels in one hand, two in the other. “So many of us came from abused homes … that in the 60s and 70s, everything was ‘hush hush’. Now we’re making noise to make a better life for our children.”

Williams, who walked in the rain with about 50 others, said any type of abuse — emotional, verbal, physical or sexual — can affect a child’s life, and that she, along with many others from community, need to bring to bring awareness to child abuse prevention.

Although the rainy weather dampened the number of walkers, those who participated enjoyed promoting the cause.

“Child abuse encompasses all of Churchill County, said Charissa Dunnett, administrative assistant for the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe. “That’s why were walking from the city to the tribe.”

Normally the walk to promote Pinwheels for Prevention attract between 90-100 walkers, but Dunnett said she was happy with the number who participated.

“We have people of all ages out here,” she said, adding that the collaboration from FRIENDS was important.

Lori Lombardo, of the FRIENDS Family Resource Center, said Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is a national movement to change the way residents approach prevention in their community.

“Awareness is bringing a positive impact we can do in our community,” Lombardo said. Lombardo, a family specialist who organizes events for FRIENDS, said she was amazed with the number of people who registered and then walked the half-mile to Fox Peak.

“Rain or shine, people walked. Abuse can happen at any time, any where, no matter the weather,” she said.

Lombardo said it doesn’t make any difference if people come from poor or rich backgrounds; they may, at some time, need help.

“I thought the month (Child Abuse Prevention Month) went over well,” Lombardo said, describing how the middle school participated by placing pinwheels on the fence, and how individuals and businesses spread the word so more people knew about the program.

Raymond Redner, who grew up in Fallon but returned after a 40-year absence, said it’s important for all people, including Native Americans, to become involved with child abuse prevention.

“We’re creating a healing force, and that’s why I support it,” he said, as the walk began.

Redner said adults … and parents must be role models for current and future generations. He said adults should be careful of what they do in front of their children so that mistakes are not repeated.