Medina County Pinwheel Walk raises awareness about child abuse prevention

457 pinwheels to be planted representing cases of child abuse and neglect in the county last year

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:56am

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of people planting blue pinwheels in a grassy field, with warm pools of light and color creating a dreamlike, hopeful atmosphere.The annual Medina County Pinwheel Walk brings the community together to plant a garden of blue pinwheels, symbolizing the fight against child abuse and the hope for a brighter future.Medina Today

The Medina County Community Pinwheel Walk will take place on April 19, with 457 pinwheels planted outside the Medina Library to represent the number of child abuse and neglect cases investigated by Medina County Job and Family Services in the previous year. The event will feature family-friendly activities, resource tables, and a program with speakers, including a child abuse survivor.

Why it matters

The Pinwheel Walk is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about child abuse prevention and the resources available in the community. The blue pinwheel is the national symbol of Child Abuse Prevention, and the event serves as a visual reminder of the importance of addressing this issue.

The details

The Pinwheel Walk will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on April 19. From 12:30 to 2:45 p.m., there will be family-friendly activities, including food trucks, craft projects, and appearances by fairytale characters and superheroes. At around 2:45 p.m., the program will begin at the gazebo, featuring proclamations from the mayor and county commissioners, as well as a speech from Heather Setser, a child abuse survivor. After the program, participants will take a 1-mile walk to the Medina Library, where they will plant the 457 pinwheels as a symbol of awareness, prevention, and hope.

  • The Medina County Community Pinwheel Walk will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • The event will run from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on April 19.

The players

Kristen Minichello

The development and outreach coordinator for the Children's Center of Medina County, who is organizing the Pinwheel Walk.

Heather Setser

A child abuse survivor who will be speaking at the event.

Medina County Job and Family Services

The agency that investigated 457 cases of child abuse or neglect in the county last year, which the pinwheels represent.

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What they’re saying

“I think this is our ninth year to do the Pinwheel Walk. Our goal is to get people involved in the prevention of child abuse and to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and let people know the resources we have available in our county.”

— Kristen Minichello, Development and outreach coordinator, Children's Center of Medina County

The takeaway

The Medina County Pinwheel Walk is an important annual event that brings the community together to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and the resources available to support families and protect children. By planting pinwheels to represent the cases of abuse and neglect in the county, the event serves as a powerful visual reminder of the work that still needs to be done to address this critical issue.