Hundreds of Free Helmets Handed Out at Safety First Rally

Smiling faces, shiny helmets, bicycles galore – the Safety First Rally, held May 22, was a wonderful success! More than 540 people attended the event despite the less-than-perfect weather, and 362 free helmets, courtesy of Benefis Healthcare Foundation, were handed out.

“Seeing the radiant smiles of the children when we placed the shiny new helmets on their heads we were reminded why we do this," said Benefis Trauma Coordinator Lauri Jackson. “If we prevent just one child from being seriously injured, then we are successful.”

The Safety First Rally is a free event aimed at educating kids about prevention as they head into summer and, therefore, a number of potential summer dangers. The annual rally, sponsored by Benefis Health System Trauma Services and Benefis Healthcare Foundation, features a number of booths and demonstrations that center on safety.

“Twenty-five organizations volunteered their time to come play in the rain and discuss safety issues pertaining to their areas of expertise,” Lauri said.

Rally highlights included Respect the Cage, which featured cars from real crashes and a truck cab that demonstrated a rollover at 35 miles per hour. Another highlight was the Smoke House, a small trailer in which kids can actually experience being in a room that’s filling with smoke and escaping through a window. The rally also featured a 33-foot climbing wall and various other booths that provided fun and engaging education.

Along with the safety helmets that were given out, two children – Daylan Holefelder and Emma Harvey – won brand new bicycles that had been donated. There also was a bike rodeo – moved indoors because of the rain – in which the kids had to maneuver through an obstacle course.

Since the rally began in the mid-1990s, the emergency room has seen an enormous decline in bike-related injuries. There was a huge rise in head injuries again when Riverside Railyard Skatepark opened, too, but now that number is on the decline as well.

Participation in this year’s event waned a little because of the weather but that didn’t put a damper on the fun.

“Lots of people look forward to this event and will come rain or shine,” said event coordinator Marie Haynes of Benefis Trauma Services.