Photo by Eric Ayres The Ohio County Partners in Prevention honored the 2026 Champions of Children during an awards ceremony on Friday in the ballroom at Catholic Charities in Wheeling. This year's honorees were, from left, Shelly Miller, Teresa Richmond, and Amy and Mike Murphy.

WHEELING — April is Family Strengthening and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and local leaders and advocates gathered Friday to recognize the 2026 recipients of the Deborah Doleski Allen Champion of Children awards.

A team from the Ohio County Partners in Prevention held a ceremony Friday in the ballroom at Catholic Charities in Wheeling to honor and celebrate this year’s recipients: Shelly Miller, Teresa Richmond, and Amy and Mike Murphy for their impactful efforts.

“You may have noticed the bright blue pinwheels planted across our community,” said Claudia Raymer McKay, executive director of the Ohio County Family Resource Network Inc. “The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, chosen because it represents the bright future, joy and childhood wonder that every child deserves.”

Members of the community nominate candidates for the annual awards, and winners are selected by the Ohio County Partners in Prevention team.

“This team is just a partial representation of the dedicated service providers and community members all working collaboratively to prevent child abuse by promoting strategies that strengthen and support families,” said Raymer McKay. “It’s truly an honor to be with you today as we celebrate four individuals who have gone above and beyond supporting children here in our community.”

The Champion of Children awards honor individuals who “demonstrate the pillars of prevention” and “exemplify extraordinary dedication to the well-being of children and families” in Ohio County.

Miller, ROSS (Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service) coordinator for the Wheeling Housing Authority, implements the Ready Set School before-school program at Hil-Dar in partnership with Elm Grove Elementary and the Ohio County Family Resource Network. According to Miller’s nomination, she transforms every child’s morning with heart and dedication, providing an immeasurable impact on participating students, whose participation has improved since the program launched.

“Shelly fills their mornings with joy and belonging, and in doing so, builds the foundation for a successful future,” her nomination described.

Richmond’s leadership with the Sexual Assault Response Teams helped develop clear, coordinated response protocols to ensure that children who have disclosed sexual abuse receive trauma-informed medical care, forensic exams and emotional support as quickly and gently as possible. Her nomination noted that she does work that most people never see, but it is work that changes everything for a child in crisis. She also created “Empowered,” a prevention curriculum designed specifically for teenagers that addresses consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention and recognition of warning signs.

“Her dual focus on crisis response and prevention strengthens both systems and individuals and makes Ohio County a safer, more supportive place for its youngest and most vulnerable members,” her nomination noted.

Amy and Mike Murphy were honored together for their commitment to children and families — a dedication that extended well beyond the walls of the classroom. Amy Murphy is a special education teacher at Bridge Street Middle School, and her husband, Mike, is a safety coordinator at MPLZ.

In the aftermath of the deadly and disastrous June 14 flood in Ohio County last year, the couple showed up every morning to check on students and their families, delivering food, supplies and clothing, helping dig out belongings and cleaning homes.

“Mike’s company provided heavy equipment, and he worked day after day to clear debris and help families locate important possessions,” according to their nomination. “Through it all, Amy made space for families to simply be heard. These families will always remember the Murphys, who showed up when they needed them the most.”

Jim McKay, state director for Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia; Susan Harrison, executive director of CASA for Children Inc.; and Beth Collins, executive director of the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, along with a number of nominating partners, all shared encouraging words during the Champion of Children awards presentation.

A proclamation that was passed by Wheeling City Council earlier this month recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month was read during Friday’s ceremony.

“This year’s national theme, Pinwheels of Possibility, is a reminder that prevention is about possibility,” Raymer McKay noted. “About investing in families and standing beside them through difficulty and building communities where no one has to navigate the hard times alone.”