The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (Collier CAC) will host its annual “Pinwheels at the Pier” event Friday, April 3, at 8 a.m., at Lowdermilk Park, 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples. The event marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month and is free and open to the public.

            Community members are invited to participate by purchasing a pinwheel in honor of a child. Pinwheels may be purchased in advance online at caccollier.org/patp, with proceeds supporting Collier CAC’s trauma-informed programs and services. Attendees may also help place pinwheels in the sand the morning of the event.

            Traditionally held at the Naples Pier, this year’s event will take place at Lowdermilk Park as the Pier undergoes rebuilding. The shoreline setting continues the event’s long-standing tradition of placing pinwheels directly on the beach, where the visual impact is both striking and symbolic.

            Collier CAC staff and volunteers will place more than 1,400 pinwheels in the sand as a symbol and visible reminder that child abuse happens here in Collier County and that prevention requires community awareness and action. Now in its 10th year, the event has become the largest pinwheel display in the U.S. and the only one held directly on the beach.

Each year, the pinwheels are arranged in a unique design, symbolizing hope, healing and the resilience of the children served by Collier CAC.

“Pinwheels are a powerful symbol of the childhood every child deserves,” said Jackie Stephens, CEO of Collier CAC. “This display reflects what is possible when a community comes together to advocate for safer environments and brighter futures for children.”

Collier CAC volunteers will be available on the beach to answer questions about the organization’s services, which include forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, court advocacy and parent education, all provided free of charge.

To learn more about “Pinwheels at the Pier” or to purchase a pinwheel, visit caccollier.org/patp.

About the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County 

The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the first point of care for children in Collier County when abuse is suspected. Since 1986, Collier CAC has provided forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, family advocacy and parent education in one child-centered setting, reducing what could be up to six separate agency visits to a single coordinated response.

Collier CAC is the only organization in Collier County legally authorized to perform forensic medical exams for children under 12 and to deliver medical, court advocacy and therapeutic services under one roof. All services are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers so families can access support regardless of circumstance.

While the organization partners closely with the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and Collier County Public Schools, it is not a government agency. Collier CAC relies on community support to sustain and expand its work, as abuse occurs in every zip code.

To learn more about how Collier CAC is committed to helping children find safety, healing and hope, visit caccollier.org.