The annual Pinwheel Ball takes place Friday, April 17 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. It is the marquee fundraiser for the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, the organization that works to end child abuse in Onondaga County.
This is a black-tie event. It is also the most important night of the year for child advocacy in Central New York.
The Evening
The night begins with a complimentary cocktail reception, followed by dinner and live entertainment by the band Atlas. Throughout the evening, attendees participate in silent and live auctions and raffles.
The signature moment: the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Pinwheel Auction, a tradition that directly funds the center’s work with children and families affected by abuse.
The Mission
The McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment where abused children can receive forensic interviews, medical examinations, therapy, and family support services under one roof. The model reduces the number of times a child has to retell their story to different agencies.
The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
EVENT DETAILS
16 YEARS OF THE PINWHEEL BALL
The pinwheel became the national symbol for child abuse prevention because it represents childhood and the carefree days every child deserves. Pinwheel gardens are planted across the country each April to raise awareness. In Onondaga County, the McMahon Ryan Center handles forensic interviews so that a child who has experienced abuse only has to tell their story once, in one safe place, rather than repeating it to multiple agencies. That model reduces trauma and improves the quality of evidence for prosecution.
What to Know
- annual Pinwheel Ball: Friday, April 17 at the Oncenter
- Black-tie fundraiser for the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center
- Cocktail reception, dinner, live entertainment by Atlas
- Silent auction, live auction, raffles, and signature Pinwheel Auction
- The center provides forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy, and family support
- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention
- Tickets: e.givesmart.com/events/Mco
Photo: Pexels. Sources: McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Visit Syracuse.
