TMA to Give Bike Helmets at Reagan Elementary

 Feb. 27, 2018 

  • WHAT: To protect children from head injuries and encourage safe exercise, the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Hard Hats for Little Heads program will give 100 bicycle helmets at the Reagan County Elementary Family Fitness Night. Activities also include bike safety awareness and bike giveaways, plus a bounce house and hot dogs. 
  • WHEN: Friday, March 2; 5:30-7 pm (activities begin at 5:45 pm) 
  • WHERE:Reagan County Elementary School gym, 500 N. Texas Ave., Big Lake 
  • WHO: The free helmets will be provided by Renee Gounden, MD, a Big Lake family physician, and Dr. and Mrs. David Donahue, of Fort Worth. Dr. Gounden will fit the helmets on children with help from Elisabeth Noelke, MD, a San Angelo family physician, and Alan Howell, MD, a Temple infectious disease specialist, and his wife, Martha, a member of the TMA Alliance (a volunteer organization of TMA members and their spouses), who spearheaded the event.  
    Other event sponsors: Big Lake Economic Development Corporation; Big Lake Volunteer Fire Department; The Dodd Law Firm, PLLC; Hickman Rural Health Clinic; Invenergy Santa Rita Wind Project; Reagan Hospital District; and Sugar Creek Grill.  
  • WHY:Falls from cycling are the No. 1 cause of injury to children aged 14 and younger. Children and their parents will learn why wearing a helmet is important, and receive a new helmet.

“Making sure our children are safe is a priority, and we are excited to have this event for our community,” said Dr. Gounden. “Wearing a bicycle helmet — and wearing it correctly — is a simple way to prevent injury.”

TMA physicians encourage children to wear the correct helmet for every wheeled sport, including biking, skateboarding, inline skating, and when riding a scooter. Children also are encouraged to ride their bikes as often as possible to stay fit and healthy.

Hard Hats for Little Heads is supported in 2018 through a TMA Foundation grant thanks to its Legacy of Caring Endowment and top donors — an anonymous physician and spouse, TMAF Make-A-Difference donors, and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians — and generous unrestricted gifts from TMA and TMA Alliance members, and friends of medicine.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 51,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

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Contact:  
Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org 
Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336; email: marcus.cooper[at]texmed[dot]org  

Big Lake Contact:
Debbie Goff, Reagan County Elementary School nurse, (325) 884-3741  

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Last Updated On

February 18, 2020

Originally Published On

February 27, 2018