The Pilot Club of Great Bend recently brought to the area schools an award-winning program designed to educate the public on avoiding brain injuries.
In addition to sponsoring public service announcements aimed at adults, the Pilot Club of Great Bend is sending members to present the BrainMinders program on injury prevention to children ages 4-8 at local day-care centers and schools.
Each year, approximately 200,000 children end up in the emergency room because of playground-related injuries. Accidental injuries are the leading cause of death in children, and 75 percent of childhood deaths are the result of brain injuries sustained in falls on the playground or from sports.
Pilot Club members lead the children in a positive and fun learning experience and provide activity books illustrated with animal characters called BrainMinder Buddies, who reinforce the “play smart, play safe” message.
The Great Bend Wal-Mart has joined with the Great Bend Pilot club and donated $50 to be used by the Great Bend Pilot club for purchase of crayons and supplies to go with the activity books given to the children. Each BrainMinder character promotes brain safety. Gerald Giraffe shows the students the importance of wearing a helmet while biking, skating, or riding a scooter. Penny Panda reminds the students to wear their seatbelts at all times in the car. Martin Monkey teaches the students to play safe in playgrounds by playing on soft surfaces. Fiona Fox reminds students to look both ways before crossing the street. Toolip Pig reminds students not to play with fire and to call 911 in an emergency. Captain Kitty promotes following water safety rules and wearing a life-jacket or PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
and Wise Old Owl narrates the skit.
The Pilot Club’s focus on helping people affected by brain-related disorders was adopted in 1991. For more information on the BrainMinders program or other area Pilot Club programs contact local Pilot club members or President Rhonda Knudson.