YCPO - December 2017

UPDATE: LAUNDROMAT READING CORNER PROJECT

I hope you  had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! I enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you at Fall Conference in North Conway N. H.  It was a fun time, and I especially enjoyed your  enthusiasm for Young Children  Priority One.

 I am writing to follow up on the Reading Corners for Laundromats Project. When you submit a local zip code to Sara Watson, (swatson@readynation.org), you will hear back from her to let you know if there are any laundromats who are members of the Coin Landry  Association(CLA) in your area. It may happen that there are no members of CLA in your requested area. Please don’t give up on this project! 

Sara Watson will send you an introductory letter about the project and other information which can be shared with the laundromat owner in your area. Plan B is to approach a laundromat owner with the given Information from Sara, explain the project and the Kiwanis Club’s role , and hopefully working together the Reading Corner can be set up. It’s important to contact the owner of the laundromat, and not a worker or manager! You may also try to contact the owner with the information from ReadyNation via USPS with your contact information, It’s also appropriate to talk about Kiwanis and our mission. It’s very possible the laundromat owner may become a Potential New Member(PNM)

I know some of you have approached Laundromat owners directly and are well on you way towards setting up a Reading Corner. Please remember you can  purchase a kit (bookshelf, books, rug and posters) through ReadyNation. Contact Sara Watson, and she will direct you on buying the kit of materials.

 LINKS will be provided to order:

1.  the book holder (2’ x 1’)

 2.  rug (3’ x 5’ – optional if space is tight)

3.    books ages 1-5 yrs. of age  are available from

FirstBook

Scholastic Books (scholastic.com)

Reading Warehouse (readingwarehouse.com) for a Bargain Book Box 25 books for $45

or gently used books may be used.

4.  Posters and sign asking that the books remain at the laundromat

5.    Form to get permission to take photos and use them for publicity purposes

GREAT NEWS! The Kiwanis Foundation of New England, through their Grant Program, has pre-approved   $1600

funding to help pay for the kits for the Reading Corners(total cost per kit ).A Kiwanis Club must fill out the KFNE Grant application with specific information about the laundromat where the Reading Corner will be set up. Submit the completed application to grants@kfne.org. The Club will receive $200 to buy the kit from ReadyNation. The grant  money will be distributed on a “first come, first serve” basis. Each Club may apply only once for this assistance.

Once the Reading Corner is established the Kiwanis Club MUST  submit  to KFNE:

A minimum of eight (8) 4”x 6” non-returnable color photos capturing the event/project in various phases, along with a summary, at the completion of the project.

There are approximately 135 Kiwanis Clubs in the New England Distrct. Wouldn’t it be great if we set up 135 Laundromat Reading Corners? Thank you for your support of Young Children Priority One.

If I can be of help, please contact me. 

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Av a  Adams, District Coordinator

Young Children Priority One

Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club

New England and Bermuda District

YCPO - November 2017 - SPECIAL

I am writing this article to inform all Kiwanis members of a new, exciting and innovative project,  Brain  Charging Stations, which creates Reading Corners in Laundromats to boost Early Literacy,

Numeracy, and Parent Engagement with Young Children. ..A Perfect Fit with Kiwanis’ “Young Children Priority One”.

PLEASE NOTE: this is updated information Isince the publication of the Yankiwanian.

One of the most powerful ways to promote early literacy and parent engagement with their young children is providing materials that encourage both in venues where parents spend time with their children. This idea is most effective in venues where parents need to go for regular chores, that are easily accessible and not intimidating, where there isn’t much stimulation available and where parents have significant “down time” that could be used for reading with young children.  A prime candidate for these venues are laundromats, and Kiwanis International and ReadyNation are partnering with the Coin Laundry Association (CLA) to set up reading corners, or “Brain Charging Stations” in neighborhoods that serve local families.  

Each station would consist of an attractive book holder; a rug that promotes letters, numbers and geometric shapes; and books. The wall around the station would be decorated with posters specifically for laundromats, as well materials from another organization, Read Aloud 15 MINUTES, that convey the importance of early reading.  From that basic foundation, sponsors could do more too if they desire, such as conducting Storytime sessions.  

From ReadyNation:

Brain Charging Station: Promoting Early Literacy and Winning Customers

Learning to read and count at an early age has a big impact on children’s achievement.  

Reading aloud to children, starting from birth, helps them grow to be successful adults.  

Laundromats can help their customers, their communities and their bottom line by providing spaces that encourage reading to young children - at no cost!  

Please allow us to create an attractive space for children’s books in your local laundromat - for FREE.

Benefits for the Laundromat Host

★ Attract customers and distinguish your laundromat

★ Provide productive distraction for customer’s children

★ Contribute to improving children’s literacy

★ Enhance reputation as a good corporate citizen

The Laundromat Host will

★    Agree to host the Brain Charging Station for one year.

       (renewable at that time)

★ Provide space - book holder is 2’x1’, and rug is 3’x4.5’

★ Volunteer provides the book holder, rug and posters bought through                     ReadyNation, Cost: $200-$300 for the Kit

★ Keep space tidy, encourage books to remain at laundromat

★ Allow volunteer to take photos for publicity purposes

The Volunteer (Kiwanis Club) will

★ Set up reading station with book holder, books, rug, posters

★ Visit at least monthly, for one year, to tidy up and refresh books.  Volunteer will secure new or lightly-used books.  Books should not have religious, political or controversial themes.

★ Take photos of setup, including children (with parents’ signed permission form) and give to ReadyNation and Kiwanis International for publicity

★ In partnership with laundromat owner, volunteer may host read-aloud time or other activities.

Inexpensive new books can be ordered at www.firstbook.org.or Scholastic books.  Sponsors can get used books through donations from employees or civic groups, as well as purchased at thrift stores, libraries, etc.  Kiwanis International and ReadyNation will publicize the efforts with their website, e-newsletter and social media.  

HOW TO GET STARTED. (Update since Yankiwanian article)

Kiwanis would send Sara Watson (at swatson@readynation.org) the Zip codes in which they wish to work.  ReadyNation will ask Coin Laundry Association CLA) if they have members in that Zip code.  If so, CLA will send the contact information to Sara, who will send to the Kiwanis member.  Sara will provide text for an email that has been reviewed by CLA as attractive to laundromat owners.  The Kiwanis member would reach out to the laundromat owner.  If the Kiwanis member doesn't get a response, Sara will ask CLA to nudge the laundromat owner personally and encourage them to participate.   If the CLA does not have a member in that Zip code, Kiwanis would need to approach the laundromat themselves, but at least they would have a flyer from ReadyNation that explains the project and has the CLA logo. 

ReadyNation asks Kiwanis members to use the basic (and inexpensive) supplies that they have identified (flyers, book holder, rug, books, posters.)

The club then becomes the volunteer with a committee created to start the project and follow through. One or more members of the club now contacts the owner and reassures that person that this is a program to benefit young children in the area and that it will not have any cost to the laundromat/owner. ReadyNation basically provides a kit ($200-$300) to include an inexpensive book holder, initial book set, rug and the posters which have been developed specifically for this program. The Kiwanis logo can be added to any materials.

 If you have questions, please email me at faithava2008@yahoo.com

or you may contact

Sara Watson, Director, ReadyNation, swatson@readynation.org, 240-893-3063

or Jeff Gardner, Chairman of CLA, at jeff@thelaundrydoctor.com

YCPO - October 2017

Good Morning Fellow Kiwanians!

I am the  New England District Chair for YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE(YCPO)  with an emphasis on infants and young children.

                                             Mission and Goals

                                                      ABCs

Address the needs of young children prenatal through age 5.

Brain development occurs at the fastest rate from conception  through age 3.

Commit to completing at least 2 new projects annually

                                    

FOCUS AREAS

                                   Maternal and Infant Health

                                   Child Care and Development

                                   Parent Education and Support

                                   Safety and Pediatric Trauma

This month I am focusing on materials available from:

 KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA INSTITUTE (KPTI)  at Tufts Medical  Center in Boston.  Materials for YCPO projects will be provided from KPTI  at no charge to your club.  More information and an order form can be found at: www.kpti.org

Materials available for  service projects:

1. EARLY CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION KITS include Bath  Safety Duck to test water temperature, Car seat information sticker,  Car seat and seat belt information card, Shaken baby information card, "Keeping the Promise" window safety brochure, Burn prevention brochure, Home safety checklist booklet, Electric outlet covers(24 pk)

These materials are delivered to the Kiwanis Club and need to be put together in a plastic bag which is also provided with the materials. Then the Kits need to be delivered. Possible distribution to: Day Care Centers, Day Care Homes, Mother's Groups,  Hospitals with Birthing Centers, Health Clinics,  Pediatricians' offices, any facility that provides prenatal classes or care  for expectant mothers.

EACH CLUB IS ALLOWED 200 KITS ANNUALLY FOR DISTRIBUTION.

2. BIKE HELMET EMERGENCY CONTACT STICKER(put inside helmet)

Possible distribution: public schools, bike shops, stores (WalMart, Target), police and/or fire departments. 

3. CHILD SAFETY SEAT STICKERS which provide emergency contact information & dr. contact. Possible distribution: Fire and/or Police Dept. when they conduct proper installation of car seats, at a pre-school, hospitals, clinics, ambulance companies, doctors' offices.  

4. BIKE RODEO MANUAL & I'M SAFE ON MY BIKE IN NEW ENGLAND

Children and families learn about bike safety;  COMPLETE RODEO MANUAL  provides all information needed to organize and set up a rodeo.

HELMETS are available at reduced cost. Also provided: bike safety information handouts, helmet reflectors, identification stickers and much more. Kiwanis Clubs can partner with the Police/Fire Department and hold a Bike Rodeo Day.  more info at:  www.kpti.org

5. ELECTRICAL OUTLET COVERS are available in a 24 pack. Possible distribution: Parent Education Classes, Clinics, Pediatrician's Offices

6. MORE SAFETY BROCHURES FROM KPTI (available in English, Spanish, Chinese)

Window Safety Brochure

Summer Safety Brochure

Pedestrian Safety Brochure

Water Safety Brochure

Holiday/Winter Safety Brochure

Fire Safety Brochure

After School Safety Brochure

FIRST AID/CPR CRART FOR PARENTS FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS. For Kiwanis clubs, to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events for the public.

Possible Distribution: Schools, Clinics, Doctor's Offices, Police/Fire Department,  Health Fair, Holiday Fair.

7.  BIKE SAFETY

Bike Safety Packet which includes Inspection Checklist, State Bike Helmet Law & Five Common Accidents, Message to Parents,  Teachers and Motorists and Easy Steps to Properly fit a Bike Helmet, and more!

Possible Distribution: Day Care Centers, Doctor's Offices, Bike Shops, Police/Fire Departments, Schools

8. CONCUSSION INFORMATION FOR COACHES AND PARENTS

Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports is a Center for Disease Control (CDC) program to bring awareness to the dangers of head trauma in young people, particularly those in youth sports.

Available are  sheets for athletes, parents (teachers) and coaches with information about:

What a concussion is

What are the symptoms

Prevention and preparedness

What to do if you suspect a concussion

Athlete and parent fact sheets are in English and Spanish.

This information can be distributed to High School and Middle School athletic coaches who then can distribute this valuable information to parents of student involved with contact sports.

9. BULLYING PREVENTION TIPS FOR KIDS AND TEENS(PAMPHLET)

Bully Free Zone(ACTIVITY BOOKLET)

Inspire bully-free attitudes and actions with the Bully-Free Zone Activity Book for kids ages 9-13.

Reviewed by experts, Bully-Free Zone was created by Child Safety Solutions and

integrates fun with key bullying prevention messages, including:

What bullying is.

How to know if you are a bully and what you can do about it.

Ways to stop a bully from bothering you.

How to deal with cyberbullying.

How to make your school a bully-free zone.

Featuring tweens talking to tweens, this colorful booklet gives kids the opportunity to collect "Big Bonus Points" and stay away from "Big Damage Points" as they work through bullying-prevention activities.

These booklets can be distributed to schools, after school programs, youth sports organizations, PTA, and parent groups.

Bulling can happen at any age. These materials can be distributed to school

administrators who then can decide how and with what age group to used.

Many communities have Arts and Crafts Fairs in November and December. Consider having a table at a Holiday Fair. It can serve

two purposes: 1. Distribution of safety brochures and 2. Provide

information about your Kiwanis Club and attract potential new members to learn about your Club. 

I'm sure many of you can come up with more creative ways in which to distribute these materials. I hope that your Club will take advantage of the materials available through KPTI and will start a new  project this year.  Prevention is the key to keeping our children healthy.  Education is the key to healthy families and we, as Kiwanians, need to educate families in our communities.; saving lives one community at a time!

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments and also let me know what Children and Youth Services  projects your Kiwanis Clubs are doing!

And if your Club is currently using materials from KPTI consider making a donation to the Kiwanis Foundation of New England (KFNE) which supports KPTI.

A REMINDER FOR HALLOWEEN/TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF:

• If your Club sponsors a Key Club  or a Builders Club encourage members to think about organizing  a Trick or Treat for UNICEF Project for next  year, or at least put it at the top of the list for projects for next fall. Kits can be ordered at 1-800-KIWANISX411.

There is information and resources available at: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/  to help a club get started.  And funds raised for Trick or Treat for UNICEF through Kiwanis can be designated to go to the ELIMINATE PROJECT!  When Kiwanis youth members participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF  America's kids help kids the world over.  Let's encourage all of our Kiwanis youth members to participate in Trick or Treat for UNICEF; I can't think of a better way to empower, educate and inspire our youth.

And if your Service Leadership Programs are already collecting for Trick or Treat for UNICEF, then children around the world thank them and the Kiwanis Family thanks them for a job well done!

Sincerely,

Ava AdamS, District Coordinator 2017-18

Young Children Priority One (Y.C.P.O.)

Scarborough, Maine

New England Bermuda District

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com

YCPO - August 2017

Young Children Priority One Newsletter, August 2017

Good Morning fellow Kiwanians!

YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE

PARENTAL SUPPORT

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

A GREAT WAY TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP

The success of the Ronald McDonald House Charities is due  to the tireless work of volunteers and the countless contributions from  donors. Ronald McDonald House Charities have  been helping improve the lives of children and their families for 37 years.

How it started:

1974

The first Ronald McDonald House opens in Philadelphia thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans, Philadelphia Eagles’ player Fred Hill (whose daughter, Kim, had leukemia), Leonard Tose, owner of the Eagles, Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager and Ed Rensi, the McDonald’s regional manager.

The McDonald’s owner/operators in Philadelphia made the House possible, donating proceeds from the sale of Shamrock Shakes.

RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through their global network of Chapters in 57 countries and regions and through their three core programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

DO YOU KNOW?

McDONALD’S FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ARE NOT THE SOLE SUPPORT OF RMH, NOT EVEN CLOSE! RMH FUNCTIONS WWITH HEAVY DEPENDENCY ON  VOLUNTEERS!

FAMILIES ARE REFERRED BY SOCIAL SERVICES AT HOSPITALS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TO STAY AT RMH…THERE MUST BE A NEED!

PATIENTS (CHILDREN) STAY AT RMH FOR FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS AND/OR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.  ADULTS, SIBLINGS AND PATIENTS STAY AT RMH, NOT JUST ADULTS!

HOW CAN KIWANIS CLUBS HELP? (30 WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AT RMH)

#1Contact your local Ronald McDonald House and have an administrator come speak at your Club.  Find out ways Kiwanis members can help!

#2Prepare and serve a home-cooked meal for families

GUEST CHEF’S NIGHT great way too volunteer with club  members

go to website to find more information and sign up

#3Plant flowers, or clean up the garden at RMH

#4Bring homemade cookies or cupcakes for families. Or help children bake and decorate them.

#5Help with a “spring cleaning” spruce-up

#6Offer your professional skills to families – give free haircuts, massages, or manicures

#7Organize a craft project for children

#8Answer the phones, greet visitors or do light office work

#9Host a pizza party, ice cream social, or popcorn & movie night

#10Help the RMHC Chapter write a newsletter

#11Hold a food drive (non-perishable items) to help stock the pantry

#12Help your local RMHC Chapter with a golf tournament, auction, gala or fundraising event

#13Organize the Ronald McDonald House’s storage areas, or restock supplies

#14Host a free car wash for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House

#15Host a scrap-booking project for moms

#16Record height and weight for children visiting the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program

#17Stuff backpacks with school supplies for children who visit the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

#18Help children illustrate their own storybooks

#19Help decorate for the holidays

#20Lead a yoga, exercise or relaxation class for parents or kids

#21Create a “penny war” at your school to collect loose change for your local RMHC Chapter

#22Hand write thank-you notes to donors

#23Make welcome goodie bags and care packages for families

#24Collect new hotel toiletries and donate them for families

#25Collect new toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to donate to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

#26Sponsor a room at the Ronald McDonald House with your coworkers or civic group. Paint, furnish and decorate

#27Donate your time and talent in accounting, computers or marketing to help your local RMHC Chapter

#28Serve on a committee or board of your local RMHC Chapter

#29Help paint or provide light carpentry and maintenance services

#30Make quilts, afghans or knitted hats and mittens for families

A great fund raising idea is to collect aluminum pull tabs (many Key Clubs are already

doing this!). Clubs can either redeem the tabs and send a check to RMHC or the pull

tabs can be delivered to a local Ronald McDonald House and they will recycle the tabs.

PLEASE CHECK WITH THE  RMH FIRST!

Please share the above ideas with your Key Clubs. They may be interested in some of the specific suggestions  for service opportunities!

There are 7 Ronald McDonald Houses in New England.

Connecticut

501 George Street

New Haven, CT 06511

Ph: 203 777-5683

Fx: 203 777-3082

www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse-ct.org

Maine

654 State Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Ph: 207 942-9003  Fx: 207 990-2984

www.rmhportlandme.org

250 Brackett Street

Portland, ME 04102

Ph: 207 780-6282

Fx: 207 780-0198

www.rmhportlandme.org

Massachusetts

 229 Kent Street

Brookline, MA 02446

Ph: 617 734-3333

Fx: 617 734-5239

www.ronaldmcdonaldhouseboston.org

34 Chapin Terrace

Springfield, MA 01107

Ph: 413 794-5683

Fx: 413 794-8199

www.ronmcdhouse.com

Rhode Island

 45 Gay Street

Providence, RI 02905

Ph: 401 274-444

Fx: 401 751-3730

www.providenceronaldmcdonaldhouse.org

Vermont

16 South Winooski Avenue

Burlington, VT 05401

Ph: 802 862-4943

Fx: 802 862-2175

www.rmh-vermont.org

If your Kiwanis Club is located near a Ronald McDonald House, I hope you will get involved in helping support the RMHC. It’s all about helping and serving children and their families.  Let’s show our Kiwanis’ hearts and just do it!

Sincerely,

Ava Adams, District Chair 2016-17

Young Children Priority One

Scarborough, Maine Kiwanis Club

New England and Bermuda District

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com

YCPO - July 2017

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT/

YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE NEWSLETTER

AVA ADAMS, DISTRICT CHAIR

NEW ENGLAND AND BERMUDA DISTRICT

July 2017

Good Morning fellow Kiwanians! 

Fact: Every year 60% of drownings occur in rural lakes, ponds and gravel pits.

Fact: Preventable injury is the number one killer of children in most developed countries.

Fact: In a single year more than 14 million children in the U.S. are injured seriously enough to require medical treatment.

Fact: Heat is much more dangerous to children than it is to adults. When left in a hot vehicle, a young child’s core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult, which can cause permanent injury or even death. (“Children In And Around Cars” www.safekids.org)

SAFETY AND PEDIATRIC TRAUMA

It only takes one accident to permanently injure or kill a child. That is why parents and children need safety education. In the United States alone, several thousand children age 4 and under die each year because of accidental injuries. Forty-five times that number are hospitalized. The leading causes of death for children 1 to 4 years old are motor vehicles, fires/ burns, drowning, choking, poisonings and falls. When a serious accident does occur, special expertise and equipment may be needed to save the child’s life. That is why a pediatric trauma center should be linked to every community.

HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST***

The Home Safety Checklist Brochure is designed to help protect family members from unintentional injuries. It is designed to be an easy room-to-room survey that will quickly point out dangers that need to be changed immediately. It covers the kitchen, basement and garages, outdoor play areas, bathroom, child's bedroom, play areas, windows, stairs and railings, electrical outlets, and fixtures, and general living areas.

 WHAT CAN KIWANIS CLUBS DO?

Distribute this brochure to Pediatricians, Clinics, Day Care Center,

Health Fairs, Pre-school Programs, Health Department, Hospitals that offer Prenatal Classes or New Mom Classes.

OPEN WATER SAFETY***

This brochure covers tips for open water safety: never swim in drainage ditches, what to do in an emergency situation if a child is struggling in the water or if a child is unconscious in the water etc.

Distribute this brochure to schools, day care centers, Fire/Police Departments, Fishing Derby, any organized family day sponsored by Kiwanis, pool supply stores, public beach concession stands.

OTHER PROJECT IDEAS

Set up a car seat program***

Kiwanis clubs can make sure that safety seats are available to everyone in the community by setting up a car seat loan program. This involves purchasing or securing donations of new car seats, establishing a location (car dealership, hospital, police station) from which the seats will be loaned or given, establishing the criteria for providing a seat to a family and making sure the people handing out the car seats have the training to install them properly.

Educate the community about scald burns***  

Smoke Alarm Safety

One-third of the smoke detectors installed in houses don’t work. If a fire occurs, they won’t make a sound, because most smoke alarms still contain their original batteries. A simple project can solve this problem: an annual campaign for everyone to check the batteries in their smoke detectors. This can involve ads in the local paper or distribution of fliers. This campaign can be expanded to include distribution of batteries and smoke detectors in neighborhoods.

Distribute Choke-Test Tubes

An adult learns about an object by looking at it. A young child learns about it by putting it in his mouth. Telling a toddler to stop putting objects in his mouth has little or no effect. The proper safety precaution is to make sure the child doesn’t play with toys on which he could choke, and there is a device—called a choke- test tube—that helps parents determine this. If a toy or the

smallest piece of a toy fit inside the tube, it is unsafe for children age 3 and under. The federal government has established a size for safe toys for kids under 3: A small part should be at least 1.25 inch diameter and 2.25 inch long. Any part smaller than this is a potential choking hazard. When parents shop for a toy, they need to make sure it has no parts smaller than these dimensions. Inexpensive,

clear plastic tubes that parents can use to test small parts are available from stores specializing in children’s toys and furnishings. A toilet paper roll or other empty cardboard tube would also work to test toys if a choke-test tube is unavailable. Distributing the tubes and educating parents could be a project by itself, or it could be part of a parenting fair or seminar.

Educate the Community About Poisons

The same impulse that leads a child to swallow a toy may impel him to drink or eat a poisonous substance. Clubs can help parents through an awareness campaign that reminds them to keep paints, cleaning compounds, beauty aids and even house plants out of the reach of young children. “Mr. Yuck” stickers can be distributed, so that parents can label poisonous substances with a consistent warning that they discuss with their children. Contact the local hospital or poison control center to get the stickers. Finally, a club could print and distribute copies of a chart that tells parents what to do if their children consume a poisonous substance. Educational pamphlets on poisons, designed for distribution in the community, are available from the National Safety Council at 800-621- 7619, and the American Academy of Pediatrics at 800-433-9016.

Lead Poisoning Awareness

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: October 22-28, 2017

During  this year’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Week the National Center  for Healthy Housing  raises awareness about lead poisoning. For more information : www.nchh.org

Support A Pediatric Trauma Program

****KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER (KPTI) is supported by the Kiwanis Foundation of New England and other sponsors. Materials are available from KPTI which deal with prevention. ***materials available from KPTI

Support The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in Your Areas

A club might consider starting any number of Young Children: Priority One projects at an area children’s hospital, and donate the funds raised for it through CMN. (Be sure that the hospital is a member of the Children’s Miracle Network.) Club members should discuss with the hospital’s CMN coordinator the possibility of setting up a special Kiwanis Young Children: Priority One fund, so that the club can have a better idea of how its funds are affecting the well-being of young children.

Car Safety In And Around Cars

Nearly 10% of motor vehicle related deaths DO NOT occur on public highways or in vehicular accidents or traffic, but happen in parking lots, driveways or when children are left unattended in vehicles. This is a serious public health issue and these deaths are totally preventable.

NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN OR NEAR A CAR

From 1998 to 2010, more than 494 children – most of them 2 years old and younger – died from heat stroke after being left or becoming trapped in a car.

These deaths fall into three main categories: children who were trapped while playing in a vehicle without supervision; children who were accidentally left behind; and children who were intentionally left alone in a car.

Leaving a child in a vehicle for a “quick” errand is a huge mistake. A delay of just a few minutes on a warm day can lead to tragedy.

SPOT THE TOT

Each year almost 2,500 children ages 1 to 14 go to emergency rooms with injuries sustained from a vehicle backing up. On average, another 230 kids in that same age group die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Danger can come from any direction, and children should never play in driveways, in parking lots or on sidewalks when vehicles are present.

PREVENTING TRUNK ENTRAPMENT

For many kids, a car trunk looks like a fun place to play or hide. Tragically, many families have discovered that kids can get in but they can’t always get out. A trunk can be deadly for an unattended child.

Children can access trunks in several ways, even without having the vehicle’s keys. Most cars have a lever or button located near the driver’s seat that pops the trunk open, while other cars also have fold-down seats or a “pass through” that enables children to climb into the trunk from the back seat. Always lock all vehicle doors. For more information, a brochure and checklist for parents, go to www.safekids.org

Kiwanis Clubs can help by increasing public awareness of this problem – distribute information at grocery stores, to childcare centers, pediatrician’s offices etc.

I hope there is at least one project that motivates you to do more for our children to promote safety in our communities. Imagine the lives and money we could save by promoting prevention education to parents and families. With the high cost of hospitalization, insurance and emergency room care today in the U.S. we could all do

our part to educate parents to keep their children safe and possibly lower rising health care costs.

Please remember that without the support of the Kiwanis Foundation of New England the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Programs could not function.

So I hope your Club will consider making a donation to the KFNE, and if you wish the money to go to KPTI you can indicate “KPTI” on the memo line of your check. Kiwanis Clubs need to support these programs if we wish them to con

Sincerely,

Ava Adams

Young Children Priority One, District Chair

New England and Bermuda District

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com