Local organizations plant pinwheels for Child Abuse Awareness Month

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -Community groups in Savannah marked Child Abuse Awareness Month outside of historic Grayson Stadium with a sea of spinning blue pinwheels

Bananas Foster and Brightside Child and Family Advocacy planted nearly 400 spinning symbols’: one for every child in foster care in Chatham County

With over 300 kids in foster care in Chatham County, both organizations want each child to know they are important and not alone.

“We’re making sure that people understand that they are here in our community, they’re very important, and they need our support,” said Terry Wright, director of development for Brightside Child and Family Advocacy.

“I want these kids to know that they’re not a number, that they are a person, and they matter,” said Jolie Chabala, director of Bananas Foster. “I want them to feel seen and loved and heard in their experiences.”

Bananas Foster and Brightside Child and Family Advocacy say 1 in 7 children will experience abuse or neglect before their 18th birthday.

They are encouraging the Savannah community to get involved and help make a positive impact on a foster child’s life.