CANFIELD — The 21st annual Pinwheels for Prevention will take place 9 a.m. Thursday at Avion on the Water Banquet Center.

April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a nationwide campaign dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging communities to recognize the warning signs of child abuse and neglect, understand how to report concerns, and learn ways to help prevent it.

Mahoning County Children Services, in partnership with the Child Advocacy Center at Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley in Boardman will once again “plant” its annual Pinwheel Garden. The display will be featured on the front lawn of Boardman Township Park from Tuesday through April 30.

MCCS officials said the pinwheels garden display raises awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Each year during April, communities across the country “plant” pinwheel garden displays to symbolize hope, awareness and the importance of prevention.

Officials said the displays serve as a visual reminder of the role everyone can play in protecting children.

The Mahoning County pinwheel planting event will be 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the front law at Boardman Township Park and will take place rain or shine.

Officials said the pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, and each one placed in the garden represents an individual who has taken a stand to advocate for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect.

The Thursday breakfast will feature a keynote address by Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick, a Community Spotlight award presentation and a performance by the Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble 2.