On a warm evening in July, the Kiwanis Club of Lodi kicked-off their nine-week PTP Safety Project by setting up an informative injury prevention booth at their local farmers market. With representatives from three local Key Clubs, Kiwanians and Key Clubbers distributed child passenger safety and bicycle safety literature to hundreds of children and their families.
Utilizing a $2,000 grant from the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation, the club distributed free bicycle helmets, child safety seats, life jackets and home safety supplies through weekly drawings. The club estimates they distributed safety literature and provided education to 500 children and their families each week.
“Being out here is our way of interacting with the community about safety,” said Lodi Key Club president Giovanni Fernandez. Fernandez and fellow Key Clubbers from Lodi, Tokay and McNair high schools participated every week alongside their Kiwanis sponsors.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi also invited community organizations to join them each week to spread the injury prevention message. Partners for the first week included representatives from the California Highway Patrol, as well as the UC Davis Medical Center.
Event Chair Karla Franck said her club routinely partners with UC Davis Medical Center and the CHP, among other organizations, on a variety of events.
“We’re trying to reach local families and children to help keep everyone safe,” she said. “A lot of local organizations have offered to partner with us, which is great to see.”
