ELIZABETHTOWN — Families and kids had a sun-filled afternoon interacting with vendors, first responders, and those in the front of health care and services.
Safe Kids Day was held Thursday afternoon at Bladen County Park. Safety booths, a bike rodeo, car seat check and giveaways of T-shirts and bike helmets punctuated the time when youth and their parents could visit with first responders and their vehicles.
“I am actually a student with Fayetteville State University, and I am out here volunteering with the Health Department,” said Candy Watson. “I am in charge of helping out with bicycle safety.”
Bicycle items were popular among the freebies.
“We are trying on helmets with kids,” Watson said.
Some of the kids have outgrown their helmets, or don’t have one at all.
“We are trying to keep them from having head injuries,” Watson said. “They try them on and get to take them home.”
Fluoresecent slap bracelets, flashing bike lights, and even bright shoe laces were available.
“We have things to help them be seen by a vehicle,” she said. “We are promoting safety.”
Andrea Locklear is a prevention specialist with Robeson Healthcare Corporation based out of Pembroke.
“We received grant money to do prevention education to Columbus, Bladen, Scotland and Robeson counties,” she said.
They received a grant to focus on the opioid crisis in Bladen County two years ago.
“We are here today to hand out information about people locking up their medicine and we are giving out medicine lock pouches.”
They also had medical disposal systems so that people could dispose of their medicines safely and properly at home.
“We have information for foster and adoptive parents if anyone wants to be in the class,” said Leanne Graham. “We also have information about safety and child abuse awareness.”
Ashley Wright-Smith was also out working with her at their table.
Tevarus Ragland Jr. was all smiles as he checked out the booths. The booth behind him is where the helmets and safety gear were located.
Rebecca Culbreth (left) and April Oxendine manned a booth at the entrance passing out book bags and T-shirts to participants.