Dear McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Family,

This month, we join organizations across the country in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. You may notice blue pinwheels displayed throughout the community; bright, hopeful symbols of the safe, carefree childhood every child deserves. Behind that symbol, however, is a difficult reality. When allegations of abuse arise, families often experience moments of fear, confusion, and uncertainty. In those moments, no child or caregiver should have to navigate the path alone.

Child Advocacy Centers exist to bring light into those darkest times. Through a trauma-informed, compassionate approach, we provide a safe space where children are heard, believed, and supported. We walk alongside families, helping them find clarity, comfort, and a path toward healing.

Too often, families only learn about these resources when they are already in crisis. That is why April matters so deeply. It is a time to speak openly, to raise awareness, and to ensure our community knows that help is here. At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, outreach and education are part of our mission every day. But during April, we renew our commitment to sharing this message: awareness can change outcomes. Awareness can protect a child. Awareness can be the first step toward prevention.

Every conversation, every shared resource, every act of support matters. By standing together in supporting families, strengthening our community, and speaking up, we can help create a world where every child feels safe and free to simply be a child.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Erin Bates

Every year, 1 in 7 children in the United States experiences abuse or neglect—and right here in Onondaga County, the need to protect children and support healing remains critical. At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, we provide a safe, child‑focused environment where children can begin to heal after abuse. We are the only organization in Onondaga County solely dedicated to ending child abuse through prevention, intervention, and education.

Because of your support this past year:

• 1,800+ children received direct, trauma‑informed services
• 150+ youth received advocacy and support after experiencing trafficking
• 25,000+ students learned how to recognize, resist, and report abuse through prevention education

Throughout April, we invite our community to join us in raising awareness and taking action—through events, fundraisers, and our annual Go Blue 4 Kids Campaign, a visible reminder that every child deserves a safe childhood. Together, we are building a safer, stronger community for children.

Ticket sales have closed, BUT it’s not too late to participate in our Live or Silent Auctions!



Don’t miss The Pinwheel Ball, our largest fundraiser of the year, taking place Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Oncenter. We are thrilled to announce Jim McElhannon as this year’s Honorary Chair.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the heroes in our community who fight against child abuse. Enjoy live music by Atlas, cocktails, dinner, and both silent and live auctions, all while supporting the mission of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

Not able to attend our sold-out event on Friday 4/17? No worries! You can still place a proxy bid on Live Auction items by emailing your bid to ccramer@mcmahonryan.org before 12pm on Friday 4/17. Just let us know the highest amount you’re willing to bid on an item, and we’ll have someone at the event bid on your behalf! Check out the Live Auction items HERE.

Our Pinwheel Ball Signature Silent Auction is back, featuring some of our favorite items along with exciting new ones! The silent auction is now open for bidding!

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if you aren’t attending the event! If you win an item and are not at the event, we will coordinate pick up with you.

Sign up using the button below or by texting PinwheelBall26 to 76278.

🕙 Bidding opened: April 1st at 8AM

⏰ Bidding closes: April 17th at 9PM

Only 3 days left to grab your tickets!

Ticket sales for Dine Out 4 Kids close promptly at 7:30 PM on April 17, with the drawing held at the Pinwheel Ball on April 17. The drawing will be livestreamed — no need to be present to win.

Formerly the Eat Local Raffle, Dine Out 4 Kids gives you the chance to win gift cards to favorite CNY restaurants while supporting the life‑changing work of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 — more chances to win and a meaningful way to help local children and families.

Every ticket supports critical services for children affected by abuse, compassionate care for victims of human trafficking, and prevention education reaching thousands of local kids each year. Even if your ticket isn’t drawn, your support makes a lasting impact.

Get your tickets before 7:30 PM on April 17!

Step Into Spring by Stepping Up for Kids! 🏃‍♀️🌷

Join us for the 10th Annual Step Up 4 Kids 5K & Kids Fun Run on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Middle Ages Brewing Company. Enjoy a morning of fun and impact supporting kids during Child Abuse Prevention Month, followed by an after‑party with music, Toss & Fire’s food truck, and a face painter for the kids.

Registration is currently $43.95. We’re past the April 10 deadline to guarantee shirt sizes, however, extra shirts have been ordered (sizes cannot be guaranteed)!

Celebrating 10 Years!

This milestone year marks a full decade of our community coming together to support children in Onondaga County. Whether you’ve joined us in years past or this will be your very first run, we’d love to celebrate this special anniversary with you.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

A special thank-you to our generous sponsors who help make this event possible:

• OneGroup – Presenting Sponsor
• Maguire Foundation – Kids Fun Run Sponsor

Last month, members of our team partnered with Play2Learn to record a podcast focused on essential safety conversations for children. The discussion highlights practical, age‑appropriate ways caregivers and educators can empower children through open communication, prevention, and education.

This collaboration aligns closely with McMahon Ryan’s commitment to prevention and community education, and we’re pleased to share it more widely. A teaser video is currently available on Facebook, and the full podcast can be streamed on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

🎧 Listen & Watch:

Teaser Video (Facebook)

Podcast – Spotify

Podcast – Apple Podcasts

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to share our expertise beyond our walls and continue meaningful conversations that help keep children safe. We encourage our community to listen, share, and join us in prioritizing prevention through education.

VOLUNTEER WITH US:

HELP US PLANT PINWHEEL FOR APRIL’S

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s annual Go Blue Campaign is one of the most visible ways we raise awareness for the children and families we serve. Throughout the month, supporters across Onondaga County purchase blue pinwheels—a national symbol of child abuse prevention—to show their commitment to protecting children.

These pinwheels are planted in two ways:

• Pinwheel Gardens – 500+ pinwheels displayed at local businesses and organizations
• Blow Aways – 50 pinwheels with a sign, often used to surprise a loved one, honor a business, or create a meaningful display

To make this possible, we need volunteers to help us plant them! The work is simple: use a screwdriver to make a small hole, place the pinwheel, and move on to the next. No special skills required—just a willingness to help and a heart for kids.

Whether you’re an individual, a family, a student group, or a workplace team, volunteering to plant pinwheels is a powerful way to be part of something bigger this April.

If you’re interested in helping us blanket Onondaga County in blue, please contact Nina Peters at 315-701-2985 or npeters@mcmahonryan.org to sign up.