JEFFERSON CITY – State Senator Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, was awarded the Standing With Children award at the 2016 Missouri KidsFirst Pinwheels for Prevention Event. The public awareness event and award ceremony, which took place on April 14 on the Missouri State Capitol’s front lawn, sought to raise national and local awareness about prioritizing child abuse and neglect prevention.
Missouri KidsFirst is a state wide advocacy group that works with local communities and state legislators to develop child abuse prevention strategies through community activities and public policy implementation. The annual Pinwheels for Prevention event is one of the group’s sponsored activities, where the front lawn of the Capitol is decorated with pinwheels. Each pinwheel is sponsored by a donor to help promote hope and healthiness for Missouri children. Every year, the campaign honors public advocates for children with the Standing With Children Award for their efforts to protect the state’s youth from neglect and sexual abuse.
Senator Riddle was honored this year because of her work supporting and investing in children throughout her state legislative career.
“Senator Jeanie lives out a commitment to Missouri children every day in the Missouri General Assembly. She works tirelessly, passionately and effectively to create a state where children are safer and healthier,” said Emily van Schenkhof, Deputy Director for Missouri KidsFirst. “Missouri KidsFirst recognizes Sen. Riddle with the 2016 ‘Standing with Children Award’ for her work on Senate Bill 341, addressing child-on-child sexual abuse, and for working so hard on behalf of her smallest and most vulnerable constituents.”
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by Missouri KidsFirst at this year’s Pinwheels for Prevention event,” Sen. Riddle said. “One of my top priorities throughout my career, both as an educator and as a lawmaker, has always been to ensure our state’s children have a brighter, safer future. I will continue to fight for the well-being of Missouri’s youth, and promise to continue the battle for improved public policy on ending child neglect and abuse in our state.”
For more information on the Missouri KidsFirst initiatives to end child abuse and neglect, please visit missourikidsfirst.org.