During April the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce is raising funds to support child abuse prevention and give back to the organizations whose mission is to help provide love, support and healing to children in the community.
The Chamber is plating a pinwheel garden to increase awareness and prevent child abuse and neglect in the community, where they sell the pinwheels for $5 to raise the funds. Monetary donations are also accepted.
“The pinwheel represents the happy, carefree childhoods all children deserve,” a statement from the Chamber reads.
“In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce is planting a pinwheel garden to increase awareness and prevent child abuse and neglect in our community.”
Funds raised from this initiative will support Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Center and CASA of Cameron & Willacy Counties.
The Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Center, Monica’s and Maggie’s House, is the statewide membership association representing all local children’s advocacy centers in the Lone Star state.
Founded in 1994 with a membership of 13 local centers, today the CACTX membership roster includes 71 developing and established centers in large urban cities as well as in small rural communities, the official website reads.
During a previous interview with The Herald, Laura Reagan, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Center of Cameron and Willacy Counties, said it is important to have prevention and awareness of child abuse in the community and that she hopes one day there will be no need to have these events because there will be no more cases. Reagan said it is important for all the organizations to communicate for the benefit of the children.
“It is actually written in the Texas Family Code that we communicate as multidisciplinary partners, so that the benefit and welfare of the child is the primary concern and not just the conviction of the perpetrator,” she said.
“The child receives intervention, receives interviewing that’s not intimidating and then we provide on-hand counseling services for however long the child needs it. And that’s free of charge to the child and the families.”
The mission of CASA of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Inc. is to be an independent voice for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and/or neglect. Trained community CASA volunteers work to ensure each child has a safe, loving and permanent home, the official website reads.
“You can buy a pinwheel for the Pinwheel Garden or make a donation in any amount,” the statement from the Chamber reads. “All proceeds will be donated to the organizations.”
To make a donation, call the Chamber at (956) 542-4341 or visit them at 1600 University Blvd.
