Advocacy/ Child Abuse Prevention/ Community events/ Community Impact & Volunteerism/ Community Involvement/ Community Partner/ Events
Advocacy/ Child Abuse Prevention/ Community events/ Community Impact & Volunteerism/ Community Involvement/ Community Partner/ Events

🌟 Honoring the 2025 Champions for Children in Livingston County

On April 2, 2025, the Howell Carnegie District Library was filled with music, celebration, and a sea of blue pinwheels as the community gathered for the annual Plant a Pinwheel event. Hosted by LACASA Center’s Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council and Great Start Livingston, the event celebrates local heroes who make a lasting difference for children and families.

🏆 2025 Champions for Children

This year’s honorees exemplify what it means to be a community champion:

  • Jill Leutze – A dedicated advocate, parent leader, and community connector who continues to uplift children and families through her warmth, leadership, and service.
  • North Star Reach – A nonprofit camp serving children with serious health challenges, providing inclusive experiences that build connection, joy, and confidence for families navigating medical journeys.
📸 Pictured: Jill Leutze and J.J. Lewis, a representative from North Star Reach, proudly holding their awards at the 2025 event.

🌱 Planting Hope: Pinwheels for Prevention

The blue pinwheel is a national symbol of child abuse prevention and a reminder that every child deserves to grow up safe, healthy, and happy. At the event, attendees planted pinwheels around the library and reflected on a sobering reality—1 in 7 children in the U.S. experience abuse or neglect each year.

Children joined the fun with pinwheel coloring pages, while families learned about prevention and local resources.

💙 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! Pinwheels are a symbol of the safe, happy, and healthy childhood every child deserves. Today, we planted pinwheels in Livingston County to show our community’s commitment to protecting children.
🖍️ Every child deserves the chance to express themselves and feel safe. These pinwheel coloring sheets were a hit with our youngest guests at the Plant a Pinwheel celebration!

🎶 Community Voices, Powerful Moments

The celebration included a performance by the Voyager Elementary Class of 2032, whose choir brought the crowd to smiles (and tears). Their energy and presence reminded everyone why this work matters.

📸 🎶 The Voices of the Voyager Choir

💙 Celebrating Local Leadership

Great Start Livingston and LACASA’s CAP Council continue to lead local efforts to support families and prevent abuse before it happens. Their staff and volunteers are the driving force behind this annual tradition.

📸 Great Start Livingston team members: Breanne Green, Lauren Weber, and Robin Schutz

🕊️ A Legacy of Champions

The Champions for Children award has recognized dozens of community heroes over the years. Past recipients include:

  • 2024 – Kristi Fowler, Sean LaRosa, and Livingston County’s Public Libraries
  • 2023 – Nicole & Clyde Aikens, Carla Sharp
  • 2022 – Deanna Norris
  • 2021 – Sandra Parker
  • 2019 – Gavin Johnson
  • 2018 – Gus Ventrone
  • 2017 – Robin Schutz
  • 2016 – Elaine Brown
  • 2015 – Kirk & A.J. Evenson and Tanya Kramer
  • 2014 – Deb Caladrino
  • 2012 – Pamela Maas, Marilyn Bradford, and Elizabeth Stahl (CARE Project co-creators)

📚 Learn more about these Champions at LACASA’s Award Archive.

💌 Get Involved

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for kids in Livingston County? Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in February 2026. You can also:

✅ Volunteer at local events
✅ Advocate for children’s well-being
✅ Support LACASA and Great Start Livingston year-round

Learn more and stay connected at greatstartlivingston.org and lacasacenter.org.

📸 Congratulations to Jill Leutze and North Star Reach—our 2025 Champions for Children! Your work uplifts our entire community. 💙

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