News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Members of the Alpena Exchange Club brave the elements to set up flags on Tuesday to raise awareness for Prevention of Child Abuse Awareness Month at Starlite Park.

ALPENA — The Alpena Exchange Club placed flags at Starlite Park on Tuesday to inform the public about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“With April being dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, we are promoting awareness,” Alpena Exchange Club Member Ray Reynolds said.

According to Reynolds, Child Abuse Prevention Month has been a staple of the National Exchange Club’s mission since 1979.

“The National Exchange made this their national project back in 1979,” Reynolds said. “So, we’ve adopted our club to be very dedicated to helping our community better be served in this awareness.”

In addition to raising awareness, Reynolds says that the club also works hard to connect community members with the resources and agencies they need to combat child abuse in Alpena.

“Our club is very dedicated to helping our community by being that link between our organizations and service agencies, to bring them together with families in need of them,” Reynolds said. “So, through our sponsorship with our businesses in the community, we’re able to fund and help educational opportunities in our community to make it a better place to live.”

Reynolds said that he hopes that people seeing the flags will get them thinking about the contributions that they can make to prevent child abuse wherever they may see it.

“We’re trying to get it so when people drive by it kind of hits him in the head,” Reynolds said. “There is a problem, and I can be part of the solution. I can be a better person. I can listen more, I can watch if I see something that’s not appropriate, and I can help report it for the safety of the children.”