Pilot Club of Great Bend presented BrainMinders, a project of Pilot International, to 803 children in local schools this fall.

The award-winning BrainMinders programs focus on traumatic brain injury and brain disorders. According to Pilot members Toni Rice and Betty Schneider, BrainMinders Buddies — stuffed animals — feature safety tips for children, who learn to "Play Safe, Play Smart" through the story "Wise Old Owl and his Fuzzy, Funny, Smart and Sunny BrainMinders Buddies." For preschoolers, Gerald Giraffe teaches helmet safety, Martin Monkey teaches playground safety, Penny Panda weighs in on seat belt safety and Fiona Fox talks about crossing the street safely.

The program for children 7-8 years of age features Brave Bob Beagle teaching gun safety; Toolip Pig, safety in the kitchen; Hero Horse, helmet safety; Captain Kitty, boating safety; and Danny Deep, swimming safety.

Coloring books are sent home with the children so they can show their parents what they learned during the demonstration.