Buy a hamburger or a hot dog and help a kid stay safe on a bicycle.
BrainTrust Canada and presenting sponsor Nixon Wenger invite the public to attend a fundraiser barbecue Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. between Nixon Wenger and the Okanagan Regional Library (2900 block of 28th Street) in support of bike helmets for youth in Vernon.
Lunch includes a burger or hot dog, in addition to a SunRype juice and fruit bar for a minimum $5 donation.
“Helmets can prevent up to 85 per cent of brain injuries,” said Magda Kapp, director of communications and prevention services for BrainTrust Canada. “Youth are the highest risk for many reasons, including the fact that our brains are not fully developed until the mid 20s and judgment is one of the last things to form, and at a young age youth think they are invincible.
“We see it all too often, and brain injury can happen in a split second, but last a lifetime. It is highly preventable, however, through smart choices such as helmet use.”
The bike helmets are part of BrainTrust’s Helmet Safety Program, which is a partnership with the City of Vernon Community Policing and Vernon Moves to promote helmet compliance and reduce preventable brain injuries.
Bylaw officers and community policing are on the streets interacting with youth throughout the year and provide helmets to youth who cannot afford them. Youth are also rewarded for positive safety behavior through “positive tickets” that include free services and products from local sponsors Domino’s and the Greater Vernon Recreation Centre, with printing courtesy of Wayside Printing.
Joining Nixon Wenger as generous sponsors are Buy Low Foods, Kal Tire, and Sun FM, who make the event possible.