COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas ENT & Allergy, Texas A&M University’s Aggie Athletes Involved (AAI), Aggie athletics along with other supporting sponsors have partnered with the local community to encourage child safety by giving away free bicycle helmets on Wednesday, Feb. 15 on the Texas A&M campus at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium, inside the McFerrin Center. The program will begin at 9 a.m.
“This is a great community and educational event and if we save just one local family from having to deal with an emergency room visit due to an injury that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, then it is all worth it,” Dr. John Thornton, Texas A&M Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student Services, said. “I believe our student-athletes have just as much fun as the second graders.”
This marks the fourth year for “Hard Hats for Little Heads”, a presentation by Texas A&M athletes who utilize helmets in their competitions such as football, baseball, softball and equestrian. The student athletes demonstrate how their helmets protect them in practice and competition. Mayors from Bryan, College Station and Navasota, along with other community dignitaries will be on hand as well.
Approximately 2,500 bicycle helmets, provided through Academy Sports + Outdoors, will be presented to all Bryan ISD, College Station ISD, Navasota ISD and Mumford ISD second graders.
Hard Hats for Little Heads is a comprehensive educational curriculum involving all wheeled sports safety. The program has impacted over 8,000 second graders during this four-year period and is designed to educate children about how to prevent head injuries by wearing a helmet when bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, 4-wheeling or any other wheeled sport.
On average, 250 children in the United States under the age of 14 die each year from a bicycle crash. Another 300,000 are treated at emergency rooms for severe head injuries. Many of the accidents could have been prevented by the use of a helmet. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, yet only approximately 40 percent of cyclists wear a helmet. This event tries to ensure the Brazos Valley children are wearing helmets when they ride, glide or drive.
Participants & Sponsors of the Program:
Texas ENT & Allergy
Aggie Athletes Involved (AAI)
Texas A&M Athletics
Academy Sports + Outdoors
College Station Medical Center
Texas Medical Association
Wells Fargo
AgriLIFE Extension
MSC Bookstore
Kiwanis Club