Optimist Club holds Safetypalooza

The Optimist Club of Christian County, Missouri has served more than five hundred children with an annual bike safety program dubbed Safetypalooza. According to chairperson Terri Baum and police officer Brent Forgey, bicycle safety is one of the main components of the event. Children are taught to be safe riders, use signals, and are fitted for helmets. Those without or with poor fitting helmets are given new ones courtesy of the local hospital program.

Bicycle safety is just one safety program conducted by thousands of Optimist Clubs each year. Optimist Clubs strive to keep kids safe and raise awareness against behaviors that could cause injury or harm. According to the chairperson for the Safetypalooza, wearing a helmet is important not only for children, but also for adults. "If you put kids in a fun, friendly environment and teach them something, it might stick with them a little bit better," said Optimist Terri Baum.

Isn't that true for children of all ages?