VIDALIA — Travelers on Carter Street msy notice a blue pinwheel garden at the Concordia Chamber of Commerce, placed there in observance of Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Rhonda Havard, treasurer of the Vidalia Women’s Club, organized the program to raise funds throughout the month to help bring awareness to child abuse.

The Vidalia Women’s Club raised more than $800 this month from the community and area businesses.

“This is the first year that anyone has done this,” Havard said. “Vidalia schools had blue jean days to donate to the cause.”

For Havard, child abuse is an issue that has physically and mentally hurt many lives, but she believes a pinwheel can make a strong difference.

“When people drive by the chamber and see those blue pinwheels, it spreads a community-wide message,” Havard said. “I want to have more awareness.”

Havard hopes to make Child Abuse Awareness month an annual activity for the Vidalia Women’s Club.

To make donations for Child Abuse Awareness Month, contact Havard at 601-597-0682.

All proceeds will go to a nation-wide child abuse awareness foundation.