After a 10-year-old child was hit while riding a bicycle in the Panhandle town of Perryton earlier this year, local physicians got busy spreading the word about helmet safety.
The crash prompted doctors and health officials to host a bike safety workshop that included demonstrations about proper hand signals, crossing at intersections, and more.
Children also could ride through a bicycle obstacle course and be fitted for a new helmet.
Family physician Rex L. Mann, MD, made sure that the event included bicycle helmet giveaways through the Texas Medical Association’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program. These local family physicians also helped provide helmets for the event: Manon E. Childers, MD; Blake A. DeWitt, MD; Jennifer T. McGaughy, DO; and Rick A. Siewert, DO.
“Bicycle safety is extremely important for children to learn,” Dr. Mann said. “Providing them with the tools to stay safe helps further that goal.”
Weeks later, community members still are requesting helmets from the Ochiltree General Hospital. Dr. Mann said more than 65 kids have received helmets to use while enjoying their bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards.
You, too, can help promote bicycle safety in your community through the Hard Hats program.
TMA has everything you need for your helmet giveaway event, from helmets and publicity tools to educational materials. When you purchase up to 50 helmets, TMA boosts your giving power with an equal match of helmets. Helmets cost $7.85 each, including shipping.
Family physicians, like Dr. Mann, and members of the Texas Pediatric Society (TPS) have a special perk. They receive 25 helmets at no cost, thanks to the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and TPS (while funding lasts). TMA then matches that for a total of 50 helmets to give away at no cost to you.
October is the program’s 25th birthday, so start planning your October giveaway now with events like these, or come up with your own creative idea. Be sure to order your helmets at least a month in advance so they arrive in plenty of time for you to put them on little heads in your community.
Email Tammy Wishard, TMA outreach coordinator, or call her at (512) 370-1470 if you have questions or to request an order packet.
Hard Hats for Little Heads is supported in 2019 with a TMA Foundation grant thanks to its Legacy of Caring and General Endowments, and generous gifts from an anonymous physician and spouse and donors to TMAF’s Make-A-Difference and Greatest Need appeals.
Tammy Wishard
Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1470