Blooms of Rebirth for Fannin County’s Abused Children

Mr. Bill – Bill Kendall

The dogwoods’ four-petals of white have long been a symbol of rebirth and purity.  The blooming trees herald the fresh innocence of spring.  Innocence is what at least 66 Fannin County children missed out on in 2015. During 2015, there were 130 cases of child abuse under investigation in Fannin county, with 113 cases assigned to family support programs and 66 cases of substantiated. Fannin Head-Start/Pre-K will memorialize abused children in Fannin County by planting a dogwood at the Mineral Bluff school on Wednesday, April 20^th at 10:30.  April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Mr. Bill (Bill Kendall), maintenance supervisor and additional grandpa for about 160 children at Fannin County Head-Start/Pre-K, is organizing the memorial service.  His life service for extending a safety-net for vulnerable children goes beyond his work life to his home life. In addition to raising their own four children, Mr. Kendall and his wife Suzie were long-term foster parents.  He imagines that about 58 children in foster care, small ones and teenagers, passed through his home during the almost twenty years as foster parents.  Most of the children stayed with them until they could get out on their own.  Ms. Kendall served on Fannin’s Department of Children and Family Services board for a number of years.

Mr. Bill agrees that it is sad telling young children, like those in the Mineral Bluff school, that child physical and sexual abuse exists.  However, telling the children might open the door for a few of them to talk about abusive situations in home.  Also, he says wisely speaking with young children about abuse teaches empathy and that not all people get an equal start in life.  He hopes the dogwood tree will remind passers-by that they can help complete the safety-net for children who are caught in brutalizing situations.

Sherry Moore, Center Director, and the staff at Fannin Head-Start/Pre-K invite community members and leaders to join them on Wednesday, April 20^th at 10:30 am in front of the school for the ceremony.