Kids Safety Expo set for July 26 at Basketball Hall of FameDate: 7/23/2014 SPRINGFIELD – Massachusetts state officials issued a reminder to families in support of child safety during summer vacation.
The Department of Children and Families, the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Child Advocate urge child caregivers to consider window, water and pool and car safety as these areas are the leading causes of summertime accidents for children.
Several prominent western Massachusetts area businesses are showing support for youth on a local level by sponsoring an interactive Kids Safety Expo that will take place on July 26 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free, open to the public and provides child safety resources for kids and parents.
For more than 30 years, Thomas M. Libbos has championed the rights of the injured with his practice specializing in personal injury law. After years of witnessing the impact of personal injury accidents, seeing children ride around on bicycles without helmets was alarming so he worked with Market Mentors to initiate a local event that would support child safety. Since the event’s inception six years ago, Springfield-based Libbos Law has been donating over 500 bicycle helmets to children who attend the expo every year. Once again, Libbos Law invites Springfield area families to the expo where 500 more bicycle helmets will be handed out for free.
“Programs like our annual Kids Safety Expo contribute much needed resources to parents and children, while also providing local businesses an opportunity to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives,” Michelle Abdow, president of Market Mentors, said. “We are proud to work with local businesses that share our values and give back to children who are the next generation of business leaders.”
The sixth annual event has been made possible thanks to local businesses, Market Mentors, LLC, Libbos Law, 94.7 WMAS, CBS Sports Radio 1450 The Hall and the Masonic Youth Child Identification Program (MYCHIP) who donate time, monetary resources and expertise. Whether you are a local business or family from the greater Springfield area, opportunities and fun await you at the annual Kids Safety Expo.
This year’s event includes:
• Resources for lost or missing children provided by MYCHIP: video ID for the media; fingerprinting; dental imprints; DNA cheek swab.
• Free safety tools: bike helmets, courtesy of Libbos Law; babysitter reference guidelines; car seat safety information; Amber Alert overview; parental sex offender awareness tips.
• Fun for kids: Bridgestone / Firestone racecar simulator, courtesy of City Tire; K-9 police dog unit demonstration; magician; Melha Shrine Clowns and so much more.
MYCHIP has identified more than 300,000 children since its inception in 1988, and it continues to assist families today.
None of the information is copied and all the identifying materials are given to the child’s family.
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